The official wrestling sim topic

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 2, June 2001)

Tony Schiavonne, Jerry Lawler and Mike Tenay welcome us to Nitro when they're interrupted by the music of the NWO!

As the music plays, Eric Bischoff walks out and gets on the mic and informs the crowd that unless certain ego-maniacs change their mind, that's the last time you'll be hearing that music on WCW programming. He bashes the guys who decided to sit out their contract and then moves on to shooting on Vince McMahon for trying to buy out WCW and kill it... possibly with a shitty invasion angle or something...

He then tells us he is the new President of WCW and unlike when Ted Turner was controlling things, he isn't interested in taking the company down. He's interested in making the best wrestling company of all time. With that he announces a tournament for the WCW United States Title with qualifying matches to begin tonight. There is a catch though. Only guys who have never held the World Title are eligible. He wants the title to showcase the next crop of legends.

Bischoff then calls out Billy Kidman and Rey Misterio Jr. He tells them that he made a business decision to retire the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Titles but they won't go empty handed. He announces BOTH men as number one contenders to the Cruiserweight Title and next week they will face "Sugar" Shane Helms for it.

As they leave the ring, Jeff Jarrett comes out to buddy up to Eric Bischoff and remind him of their friendship and ask for a World Title shot. Bischoff smiles before telling Jarrett he'll have to earn it tonight in a number one contender's match. Bischoff leaves without revealing his opponent.

Kanyon comes out and gets on the mic to hype himself up as the leader of the new generation and the beginning of his journey is tonight.

WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Kanyon vs Jason Jett

Kanyon makes relatively short work of Jason Jett, winning the match with a flatliner.

Winner: Kanyon in 4:17

When we come back from commercial, Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias are in the ring where they perform a quick dance signifying 3 Count is back! Jerry Lawler raves excitedly for their return.

3 Count (Shannon Moore and Evan Karagias) vs Jamie Noble and Lash Leroux

3 Count wins a semi-competetive match when Karagias pins Leroux.

Winners: 3 Count in 8:00

"Mean" Gene Okerlund is backstage with Lex Luger and Buff Bagwell. Lex says he isn't sure about Midajah and feels they could have won the titles last week without her. Buff argues a little before Midajah walks into frame and both men awkwardly get quiet.

Team Canada, Lance Storm and Mike Awesome are out to talk about how they've been granted their US Title tournament entries and tonight is the beginning of the US Title becoming the single greatest title in wrestling.

WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Mike Awesome vs James Allen (formerly James Storm)

Mike Awesome wins a squash after an Awesome Bomb

Winner: Mike Awesome in 1:45

"Mean" Gene Okerlund is backstage with Eric Bischoff and asks him who Jeff Jarrett will be facing tonight. Bischoff's only hint is that it's someone who bleeds WCW.

Stacy Keibler comes out to introduce Shawn Stasiak and hypes him up for the US Title tournament.

WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Shawn Stasiak vs Norman Smiley

Smiley gets a couple near falls in before finally succumbing to a fisherman's suplex.

Winner: Shawn Stasiak in 4:16

Backstage, Gene Okerlund is with Mike Sanders, asking him about Disqo walking out on him last week. Sanders shrugs it off with a smile and tells Gene that tonight, Disqo is taking the fall.

WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Mike Sanders vs Disqo

Mike Sanders gets the win after a semi-competetive match with a springboard moonsault.

Winner: Mike Sanders in 7:41

We see a pre-taped promo where Jim Duggan discusses his US Title tournament qualifying match next week against Lance Storm. At the end, he announces that he will have a friend in his corner just in case. Rick Steiner walks from the darkness in his Michigan jacket and grins at the camera.

Shane Douglas comes out before the main event to tell us he has been entered into the US Title tournament and that his plan doesn't stop there. He knows that with the US Title comes the World Title shot that higher-ups usually wouldn't want him to have.

Jeff Jarrett comes out and awaits his opponent for the main event. After a little bit of silence... Self high five...

WCW World Title #1 Contenders Match: Jeff Jarrett vs Diamond Dallas Page

After a long back-and-forth main event, the referee is knocked out. Jarrett takes the opportunity to go out and grab his guitar. He pulls it back, ready to hit DDP with it before Dusty Rhodes runs out to pull it out of his hands. Jarrett turns around with a "What the hell are you doing, old man!?" before turning around into a diamond cutter. The ref comes to in time to count the 1-2-3.

Winner: Diamond Dallas Page in 17:56

[loopydate]

WWF Raw 9/22/2003

It's the last Raw before Unforgiven, and it's the first Raw without competition from Nitro in eight years. The announcers talk about the two six-man tag matches coming up as well as a collision between two former best friends. The WWF kicks the show off right with the introduction of the People's Champ and his seventh stop on the Road To Redemption. He's a perfect 6-0 so far, can he maintain his momentum against Bradshaw? Ha. Of course he can. This guy's never going to be a singles star.

Raven is six days away from his match with Scotty 2 Hotty. On SmackDown, Raven beat the towering Canadian T-Money and tonight, he faces T-Money's T&A tag team partner, A-Train. Similar result as last time with Raven hitting the Raven Effect for the clean victory. He puts the boots to Train after the match to demonstrate his dominance.

Trish Stratus and Lita are shown backstage. They don't really do much, but does it matter?

On Thursday, Team BRECK-J's Chris Benoit was defeated cheaply by the Dirty Dozen's Kane. Tonight, he looks for revenge against Kane's stablemate Hardcore Holly (who, himself, lost to Benoit's stablemate Rhyno). Benoit gets his revenge. Holly attacks him after the bell, they brawl to the back. T his is definitely not over.

The aforementioned Kane hopes to keep his momentum alive as he faces off against the man who defeated his stablemate Big Show on Thursday, Chris Jericho. Kane doesn't need to cheat tonight as he plants Jericho with a chokeslam for the victory.

Eddie Guerrero is backstage. He talks about his match this Sunday against Triple H. Hopefully the match gets over, since EWR really doesn't like heel/heel matches. Maybe it's time to turn one of them.

Completing our weird BRECK-J/Dirty Dozen round robin for the evening is Rhyno vs. Big Show. Rhyno continues to look like a monster as he Gores Big Show in half (not literally, that would be gross) for the victory.

We've already seen B, R, and J in action tonight. The "ECK" in BRECK-J are out next for a big six-man tag team match as the #1 contender for the World Title teams with the #1 contenders for the Tag Team Titles. It's Kurt Angle, Edge, and Christian against Dirty Dozen members Undertaker, Road Dogg, and K-Kwik. The match is, as expected, kind of a clusterfuck. Eventually, The Rock takes advantage of a distraction to plant Undertaker with a Rock Bottom, allowing Angle to pick up the victory.

Matt Hardy is backstage, seething after what happened to his brother on SmackDown. He says that he will never forgive Randy Orton for what he did, so it's all that much more appropriate that they meet one-on-one at Unforgiven.

Last week, Shawn Michaels and Triple H, the founding fathers of DX lost to Edge & Christian. They each blame the other for the loss and now, one more time, they butt heads in the ring. It's a good technical match that eventually degenerates (ah? Ah? See what I did there?) into a brawl. The referee has no choice but to disqualify them both.

Our main event of the evening pits the Wrecking Crew (World Champion Brock Lesnar and the Tag Team Champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin) against the unlikely trio of John Cena and 2 Cool. Cena in particular looks really strong, but eventually Grand Master Sexay takes an F-5 and the champions stand tall as Raw goes off the air.

Quick Results (Final Rating 5.28)


ROAD TO REDEMPTION - The Rock over Bradshaw
Raven over A-Train
Backstage segment to get Trish Stratus and Lita on the screen
Chris Benoit over Hardcore Holly
Kane over Chris Jericho
Eddie Guerrero promo
Rhyno over Big Show
Kurt Angle, Edge, and Christian over Undertaker, K-Kwik, and Road Dogg after interference from The Rock
Matt Hardy challenges Randy Orton for Unforgiven
Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H ends in a double DQ
Wrecking Crew over John Cena and 2 Cool


Unforgiven 2003 Card so far (9/28)


WWF World Heavyweight Title: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Kurt Angle
WWF World Tag Team Titles: World's Greatest Tag Team (c) vs. Edge & Christian
Road To Redemption: The Rock vs. Undertaker
John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels
Eddie Guerrero vs. Triple H
Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Raven
Matt Hardy vs. Randy Orton

[#1-norm-fan]

lol Love the shameless "I did this segment because it was easy ratings" descriptions.

[loopydate]

Diva matches are very rarely any good in EWR, but some of them are super over, so I need to work them in somehow.

[#1-norm-fan]

TEW has angles where the ratings are based solely on sex appeal. So I usually have a diva just come out and shoot t-shirts to warm up the crowd.

[#1-norm-fan]

Come to think of it, doesn't EWR have an "eye candy" option where the match is rated on how hot the divas are and not on wrestling skill?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Not really, the match quality rating is always there. There is a "looks" attribute so if you were to book an ugly diva to lose in a buck naked match, for instance, the rating would be far worse.

M-A-G had to have the best usage of divas ever on the old version of EWR. Just signed loads of young unknown indy divas right at the start and left them in training camp for several years. Rinse, lather, repeat and suddenly the divas are constantly churning out 4 star matches.</font>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

TEW Demo is 140mb and says it'll take an hour to download? Wtf?

[#1-norm-fan]

I don't remember it taking that long. It's been a while though.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 3, June 2001)

WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Dustin Rhodes vs Mark Jindrak

Jeff Jarrett makes his way out, getting on the apron, only to be knocked down by Dustin. Jindrak tries to take advantage of the distraction but ends up taking a tornado DDT as Rhodes gets to 1-2-3 and advances to the tournament.

Winner: Dustin Rhodes in 8:04

After the match, Jarrett gets back in the ring and double teams Dustin only for Dusty to come out at make the save, bullrope in hand. He hits Jarrett and Jindrak over the head with the bell, sending them to the outside. Jarrett grabs the mic and tells Dusty he wants him one-on-one. Not in a match though. He wants to fight the old man and put him out to pasture once and for all.

Dusty accepts and Eric Bischoff comes out and gets in the ring, asking Dusty if he's sure he wants to do that. Dustin wants to take the fight for him but Dusty says "no" and Bischoff tells him he'll give him a week to think it over.

Air Raid (Air Styles and Air Paris) vs Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo

Air Raid wins a somwhat back and forth match when Styles pins Romeo. Kimona comes out halfway through to watch the match.

Winners: Air Raid in 6:49

Kimona gets in the ring, applauding them as they look on puzzled. Suddenly, she takes out a bag from her cleavage, pouring a white powder in her hands and blowing it in their faces which allows The Jung Dragons to come out and attack, finishing them off with dual top rope legdrops and leaving them laying.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman to discuss their triple threat match with Shane Helms for the Cruiserweight Title tonight. Playful arguing turns to slight tension and Konnan comes into the picture telling them to stay calm. All that matters is the Cruiserweight Title is coming to The Filthy Animals tonight.

WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Lance Storm vs Jim Duggan

In a relatively short match, Duggan and Storm end up outside the ring. As the ref's count gets to 8, Storm goes to slam Duggan's head into the ring post only for Duggan to reverse it and slide in just as the ref counts to 10.

Winner by countout: Jim Duggan in 5:31

Storm recovers and looks on in shock as he has been eliminated from the tournament! His face goes red and Mike Awesome comes out to double team Duggan. Rick Steiner comes out to make the save only to be tied in the ropes and forced to watch as Storm brings a chair in the ring and Awesome delivers 4 powerbombs on Duggan onto it. Officials are finally able to get Awesome and Storm out of the ring and free Steiner as Duggan gets carted off.

Gene Okerlund is in the ring for a special interview with Booker T. Booker says it will be an honor to make his first title defense against DDP. With that, DDP comes out and talks about how the two of them are a dying breed. They could have taken a lot of money to sit home but they still believe in WCW and when they face for the title, may the best man win. They shake hands to end the segment.

WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Shane Douglas vs Hugh Morris

Douglas accidentally knocks the referee out of place and takes advantage of it by hitting a low blow followed by a Pittsburgh plunge on Morris for the win.

Winner: Shane Douglas in 6:02

Gene Okerlund catches up with Team Canada backstage to ask about their actions against Jim Duggan. Rick Steiner rushes them before they can speak and security swarms to break things up.

WCW United States Title Tournament Qualifying Match: Konnan vs Johnny Swinger

Konnan wins it cleanly by submission with a tequila sunrise.

Winner: Konnan in 4:44

Tony Schiavonne tells us of something going on backstage. We see Midajah pulling a cameraman down the hall and then making him hide behind a doorway where we watch her approach WCW World Tag Team champions Palumbo and O'Haire. She flirts a little, allowing Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger to attack from behind, leaving them down and out. Midajah looks in the camera and says "That's for anyone who doubts what an asset I can be. Whether it's you..." She then turns and stares down Luger. "... or you."

WCW Cruiserweight Title Triple Threat Match: "Sugar" Shane Helms vs Rey Misterio Jr. vs Billy Kidman

A long, action-packed back and forth match ends when Rey Misterio hits a hurricanrana on Kidman. Before Misterio can reach back and grab Kidman's legs for the three, Helms dropkicks Rey in the back of the head and takes the pin, retaining the title.

Winner: "Sugar" Shane Helms in 15:21

After the match, Helms helps Misterio up and the two of them look at each other. Helms shrugs and he and Misterio shake hands and hug. They help Kidman up, too and both men raise Helms' arms. Konnan comes out, gets in the ring and gets in Rey and Kidman's faces before yelling "That was cheap!" at Helms as Rey and Kidman try to calm things down as the show goes off the air.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW.com post-show news

The Clash of the Champions returns!

In just 4 weeks on Thursday, July 19th live on FX, WCW Clash of the Champions returns. Matches will be announced over the next few weeks.

Official bracket for the WCW United States Title Tournament

Shane Douglas vs Jim Duggan
Kanyon vs Mike Sanders
Konnan vs Mike Awesome
Dustin Rhodes vs Shawn Stasiak

Announced for next week on Nitro

*Jeff Jarrett will call out Dusty Rhodes for a fight
*The Natural Born Thrillers will defend the WCW World Tag Team titles against Totally Buffed
*All four quarterfinal US Title tournament matches will take place

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Fan with a cruiserweight title match main event? Probably would have been booted off the air if the game wasn't made by people who probably jerk off to Billy Kidman matches.

:D

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>"Sugar" Shane Helms was the goddamn man.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

I tried to be realistic with the roster so the guys who sat out their contract still sat out their contract leaving me thin in the main event department. Trying to build up some new stars while not desperately shoving my handful of main eventers down people's throats. Doesn't hurt that I've got a late night time slot that gives me some breathing room for ratings early on.

[#1-norm-fan]

Also, the cruiserweight title and cruiserweight matches that weren't for the title have main evented Smackdown before. And it's still on the air. So suck it.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 4, June 2001)

After the pyro, Tony Schiavonne and Jerry Lawler welcome us to Nitro and run down the lineup for tonight as Kanyon's music hits. He comes out to hype himself as the next US Champion.

WCW United States Title Tournament Quarterfinal Match: Kanyon vs Mike Sanders

Mike Sanders appears to injure his leg coming off the rope and Kanyon swarms, taking advantage. He takes a moment to taunt the crowd before reaching down to pick up Sanders and getting caught in an inside cradle for the three. Sanders slides out and Kanyon looks on shocked.

Winner: Mike Sanders in 8:48

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Totally Buffed to get their thoughts on their tag title match tonight. Luger tells Buff and Midajah that she was useful in helping them soften up the champs last week... but given what happened last time, he thinks it's best for them to finish the job without her at ringside tonight. She starts to yell at Luger but Buff stops her, looks at Luger for a second and then tells him he's gonna have a talk with Midajah as they leave Luger standing with a hopeful look on his face.

When we come back from commercial, we see a video of earlier today where DDP and Booker T sit at a table with Eric Bischoff between them. Bischoff hypes them as the last of a dying breed in wrestling. The two men who stayed loyal to WCW through it all. With that, he announces WCW will return to Pay-Per-View on Sunday, August 19th for The Great American Bash. The main event will pit Booker T and DDP for the World Heavyweight Title. Both men say a few words about how the title is the reason they are here and not sitting at home collecting a paycheck right now and they don't plan on leaving The Bash without it before signing the contract.

WCW United States Title Tournament Quarterfinal Match: Konnan vs Mike Awesome

A stiff, back and forth match ends when Lance Storm gets on the apron, distracting the referee. Mike Awesome gets a chair and prepares to powerbomb Konnan onto it only for Rick Steiner to run out and grab Awesome's leg, allowing Konnan to hit a hurricanrana on the chair, slide it out and get the pinfall.

Winner: Konnan in 9:14

Steiner laughs outside as Team Canada stand in the ring furious. They want Steiner to get in the ring. He gets a mic and tells them he's not stupid. They got Duggan two on one last week. He's found someone else to take on Team Canada though. And like him, he knows a thing or two about tag team wrestling. With that, Road Warrior Animal makes his entrance, standing next to Steiner as Team Canada suddenly looks a little concerned. Steiner and Animal rush the ring and trade fists with Storm and Awesome before sending them retreating.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Konnan who is nursing his back still and tells Gene all that matters is that he's moving on in the tournament. Billy and Rey come to check on him and he tells them he's gonna get revenge on Helms for what he did last week. Rey and Billy look at him and try to explain to him it's alright but Konnan cuts them off telling them he's the leader of The Filthy Animals and he'll take care of the dirty work. He walks away leaving Rey and Billy to look at each other flustered and just shake their heads.

When we come back from commercial, Gene is with The Natural Born Thrillers who discuss tonights tag title defense. They make it clear that with or without Midajah at ringside, they're focused on retaining.

WCW World Tag Team Title Match: Natural Born Thrillers (Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire) vs. Totally Buffed (Lex Luger and Buff Bagwell)

Midajah doesn't come out with Buff and Luger. The Thrillers do a good job of keeping Luger away from his corner for much of the match. After another failed tag, Buff suddenly steps down from the apron and grabs a seat to sit at ringside. Palumbo and O'Haire yell at him to get in the match every once in a while while still fighting Luger. Eventually they hit a double superkick and get the pin. They shake their head, take the titles and leave the ring.

Winners: Natural Born Thrillers in 10:08

After the match, Midajah comes out and gets in the ring with Buff. Luger starts to get up but Midajah orders an attack and he immediately gets hit with a blockbuster. A few more kicks and Bagwell spits on Luger before leaving with Midajah.

KroniK (Brian Adams and Bryan Clark) vs The Mamalukes (Big Vito and Reno)

A virtual squash match that ends with Clark hitting a meltdown on Vito for the pin.

Winners: Kronik in 3:48

After the match, Mean Gene gets in the ring to interview KroniK and they make it clear that they want the next shot at the tag titles.

Shane Douglas comes out and rants about how he revolutionized pro wrestling 8 years ago when he won a tournament and forced a fledgling company to take notice. He condemns WCW for giving an old man like DDP another shot but he says just like 8 years ago, he's gonna win this US Title tournament and force WCW to recognize him as the franchise.

He then informs everyone that another old man, Jim Duggan, is in a hospital somewhere right now and cannot compete. He calls out Eric Bischoff and wants him to announce Douglas as the winner via forfeit. After some tension between the two, Bischoff tells Douglas that the "franchise" isn't a man who gloats over winning a match like this. He then begrudgingly declares that Douglas will be moving on in the tournament.

Gene Okerlund is with Dusty Rhodes backstage, asking him if he's reconsidered accepting Jarrett's challenge to a fight tonight. Dusty replies "hell no" as his son, Dustin comes into view. He tells his dad he's got a big match coming up but he wants to have his back tonight. Dusty tells Dustin not to help. He's gonna kick ass or get his ass kicked all on his own.

WCW United States Title Tournament Quarterfinal Match: Dustin Rhodes vs Shawn Stasiak w/ Stacy Keibler

A good back and forth match that ends with Stasiak's former partner Mark Jindrak coming out to help. He gets on the apron and distracts the ref long enough for Stacy to hand what appears to be a can of hairspray to Stasiak. Dusty runs out and pulls Jindrak off the apron which allows the ref to turn around just in time to catch Stasiak spraying Dustin in the eyes and he immediately calls for the bell.

Winner by DQ: Dustin Rhodes in 6:36

Dustin rolls outside to recover while Dusty hits some elbows on Jindrak before Stasiak comes out to help, attacking Dusty from behind. They throw him in the ring and take turns kicking him before Dustin slides back in to even the odds and send Stasiak and Jindrak outside.

Jeff Jarrett's music hits and he comes out, mic in hand, to tell Dustin to leav so he can go one on one with Dusty. Dusty tells him to get out of the ring and he reluctantly does. Jarrett steps into the ring and after a brief staredown, the two of them start trading blows. Dusty eventually goes out, reaches under the ring and gets a bullrope. He comes in and Jarrett begs off before hitting a low blow and taking control. He starts hitting Dusty over the head with the bell, busting him open. Dustin paces outside and starts to come in for the save but Dusty yells at him not to as he tries and fails to fight back. Eventually, Jindrak and Stasiak run back out, attacking Dustin from behind and then getting in the ring. They each old one of Dusty's arms while Jarrett goes for his guitar. Dusty curses Jarrett weakly through the crimson mask and pulls back the guitar when suddenly Diamond Dallas Page and Booker T run out to make the save! As Dustin recovers, he joins Page and Booker to clear Jarrett, Stasiak and Jindrak from the ring before they all check on a bloody Dusty as the show fades to black.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW.com post-show news

First match announced for Clash of the Champions

Eric Bischoff has officially announced that in 3 weeks at Clash of the Champions, The Natural Born Thrillers will defend their tag team titles against KroniK.

Announced for next week on Nitro

*Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page vs Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak
*WCW US Title Semifinal: Konnan vs Dustin Rhodes
*WCW US Title Semifinal: Shane Douglas vs Mike Sanders

Business news

WCW Nitro ratings for the month of June

Week 1: .71
Week 2: .75
Week 3: .68
Week 4: .69

WWF Raw ratings for the month of June

Week 1: 5.45
Week 2: 5.28
Week 3: 5.50
Week 4: 5.24

WWF News

*Big Show won the 2001 King of the Ring tournament defeating Kurt Angle in the finals. All hail King Big Show!

*WWF King of the Ring 2001 got 480,000 buys on PPV.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 1, July 2001)

2 and a half weeks from Clash of the Champions, Schiavonne and Lawler welcome us to Nitro and run down Booker and DDP vs Jindrak and Stasiak and the semi-final matches for the US Title tournament. The first of which is happening now but... there's some commotion backstage. The camera catches up with Kanyon who is kicking Mike Sanders in the ribs as he's down on the ground. Shane Douglas walks by casually, looking at his opponent being attacked. He shrugs and heads to the ring.

WCW United States Title Tournament Semi-Final Match: Shane Douglas vs Mike Sanders

Douglas comes out, sits in the corner and smiles. Mike Sanders' music hits and he doesn't come out. Douglas grabs the mic and tells the ref to declare him the winner by forfeit. Suddenly, Sanders comes out holding his ribs and grabs the ref, telling him to ring the bell. Sanders fights all he can, making the match competitive for a moment but eventually Douglas gets the pin, moving him into the finals.

Winner: Shane Douglas in 4:31

Gene Okerlund is in the ring and brings out his guest Lex Luger. Luger bashes Bagwell and Midajah and tells him he wants a match with him. This prompts Bagwell and Midajah to come out. Bagwell tells Luger he should have been a team player but just because he got his ass kicked last week doesn't free him. When they signed on to be part of the new WCW, Bagwell took it upon himself to add a managerial clause to both contracts before they were signed that gave their services Midajah. Midajah then gets on the mic with an evil grin and informs Luger that her clients will not be facing each other any time soon.

A video is aired hyping the return of "The Belfast Bruiser" Fit Finlay where he stands in the shadows talking about being the most feared man in Northern Ireland... and soon WCW.

"Sugar" Shane Helms vs Shannon Moore

In a non-title match between the two former 3 count partners, Helms gets the win despite interference from Evan Karagias after a vertebreaker.

Winner: "Sugar" Shane Helms in 7:31

After the match, Gene Okerlund gets in the ring to ask Helms about Konnan's comments from last week. Helms explains that he did nothing illegal and did what he could to beat Rey and Kidman to retain his title. Konnan comes out and gets on the mic, telling Helms that Rey and Kidman are too nice to tell him he's a cheap shot artist. He says he's got more to say to him but for now... he's got a match to worry about. Helms shakes his head and walks out.

WCW United States Title Tournament Semi-Final Match: Dustin Rhodes vs Konnan

A good back and forth match with a lot of near falls. The end sees the referee get knocked down, allowing Jeff Jarrett to hit the ring and land a stroke on Dustin. Konnan watches it go down and looks around, wondering what to do. Jarrett wakes up the referee and after some hesitation, Konnan crawls over and hooks the leg for the 1-2... NO! Dustin kicks out. Konnan stands up, puts his hands on his head and looks conflicted again as he goes to pick Dustin up but gets caught with an inside cradle for the 1-2-3! Dustin rolls out of the ring and Konnan looks upset with himself. Rhodes vs Douglas is set for the US Title tournament finals

Winner: Dustin Rhodes in 12:40

After the match, Konnan paces for a bit before climbing outside and starting to throw chairs, the ring bell and anything he can get his hands on. Rey and Kidman come out to calm him down and he yells at them, telling them he's sick of the three of them being taken advantage of.

Gene Okerlund is in the ring with Animal and Rick Steiner. They hype themselves up as a combination of the two greatest tag teams of all time and Animal dares Team Canada to come out and try to do to him what they did to Jim Duggan. Team Canada comes out and stands at the end of the isle. Lance Storm tells Animal that he's a wrestler, not a fighter. But if he wants to fight, Mike Awesome is more than willing to take him on at his own game and prove that the mean streets of Chicago are an amusement park compared to the mean streets of Canada... just not tonight.

The Jung Dragons vs Jamie Noble and Lash Leroux

In a good high-flying match, The Jung Dragons win when Yang pinned Leroux after a distraction by Kimona.

Winners: The Jung Dragons in 7:16

After the match, Air Raid attacks from out of nowhere and sends Kimona and the Dragons running. Styles gets on the mic and informs them that after a talk with Bischoff, they've got a match next week. And considering Kimona's actions two weeks ago, Bischoff agreed that it's best that she manage them from the confines of a cage at ringside. Kimona throws a tantrum.

When we return from commercial, Gene Okerlund is in the ring with The Natural Born Thrillers. They discuss their title defense in two weeks at Clash of the Champions against KroniK. Their opponents for tonight, Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo make their way out but halfway down the aisle, KroniK comes out and attacks, powerbombing them both before officials come out to pull them away. The Thrillers head down the isle but are also separated from KroniK by officals.

We see a recap of last week's contract signing between Diamond Dallas Page and Booker T for their World Title match that will take place in a month and a half when WCW returns to PPV for The Great American Bash.

Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page vs Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak w/ Stacy Keibler

A good back and forth match ends in chaos after Jeff Jarrett comes out to get involved only for Dustin Rhodes to attack. They trade punches, leading Jindrak to join in and then DDP to even the score. Eventually, the legal men, Booker T and Shawn Stasiak join in the fight and the referee calls for the bell, declaring a draw.

Winners: Double Disqualification in 10:53

As all six men continue fighting at ringside, Eric Bischoff comes out, calling on security to break things up. Bischoff gets on the mic and says all this chaos gives him an idea. He doesn't like not having control over things. So if they want chaos, it's gonna be organized chaos. He wants DDP, Booker and Dustin to find a partner and Jarrett, Stasiak and Jindrak to do the same. Because in 2 and a half weeks at Clash of the Champions... it will be the return of War Games!

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW.com post-show news

Next Week on Nitro

WCW United States Title Tournament Finals:
Dustin Rhodes vs Shane Douglas

Air Raid vs Jung Dragons (Kimona is locked in a cage at ringside)

Clash of the Champions card

War Games:
Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes & ??? vs Jeff Jarrett, Shawn Stasiak, Mark Jindrak & ???

WCW World Tag Team Title Match:
KroniK vs The Natural Born Thrillers

Street Fight:
Road Warrior Animal vs Mike Awesome

Great American Bash card

WCW World Heavyweight Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page vs Booker T

Ratings

Nitro: .66 (Down from .69)
Raw: 5.26 (Up from 5.24)

[#1-norm-fan]

Totally forgot loopy ran a War Games angle with his WCW game. Totally looks like I TNA'd him and stole the idea. I promise it was not intentional. lol

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Clash of the Champions is shaping up nicely. I'm always a sucker for War Games. I'll predict The Franchise grabs the US Title against Rhodes via underhanded help from Jarrett or something, leading to him joining the heel side at War Games. No idea who the faces will bring in. Looking forward to seeing it unfold.</font>

[loopydate]

My hunch is the faces add one of the guys sitting out their Time-Warner contracts.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 2, July 2001)

10 days from Clash of the Champions live on FX, Tony Shciavone and Jerry Lawler welcome us to Nitro as Team Canada's music starts...

Lance Storm and Mike Awesome stand in the ring. Storm talks about Mike Awesome's street fight with Road Warrior Animal in 11 days and hypes Awesome up as a future legend when it comes to the extreme. With that, he says tonight Mike Awesome will be giving Animal something to think about by beating a hardcore legend. And that hardcore legend is on his way out right now...

Mike Awesome vs Norman Smiley

Smiley plays to the crowd a little and actually starts the match with a little offense, giving him time to give the crowd a quick big wiggle. This only serves to piss Awesome off who takes complete control of the match, powerbombing Smiley multiple times but refusing to go for the pin. Eventually, the referee is forced to call the match.

Winner via ref stoppage: Mike Awesome in 4:57

After the match, Awesome threatens another powerbomb but Animal and Rick Steiner run out. Storm holds Awesome back as they get in the ring and gets out with him, backing away from the confrontation as Animal and Steiner check on Smiley.

Shane Douglas is backstage with Gene Okerlund where he hypes his US Title match with Dustin Rhodes tonight and declares his title win tonight as the first step toward him ushering in yet another new era in wrestling.

Konnan makes his way to the ring and grabs a mic. He says he always got along with Dustin Rhodes but last week he was trying to do the right thing and help Dustin up only to be taken advantage of. And it wasn't the first time the Filthy Animals have been taken advantage of by a "friend".

He calls out Shane Helms and gets in his face. He tells him what he did by taking advantage of Rey hitting his finisher to get the pin on Kidman last month was cheap. Helms defends his actions saying he didn't break any rules. He just took advantage of the situation.

Rey and Kidman come out and get between the two before it comes to blows. Rey tells Konnan to calm down and sides with Helms. Kidman seems to agree. Konnan argues and finally tells Rey it's alright. He knows Rey and Kidman are too nice to say or do anything about it. So he is. He wants Shane Helms in 11 days at Clash of the Champions... and he wants Rey to be the special referee. Rey declines. Konnan doesn't let up and eventually Helms cuts Konnan off and tells Rey he trusts him to call it right down the middle so there's no controversy when he shuts Konnan up. Rey tells Konnan "If I do this, this thing is over..." before accepting the offer.

A video airs hyping the return of Fit Finlay

Backstage, Mean Gene is with Diamond Dallas Page and Booker T. They discuss their title match at The Great American Bash next month but first... they're focused on War Games. They plan on choosing a 4th man by the end of the night. They'll also be at ringside tonight to be in Dustin Rhodes' corner for his title match tonight.

Kanyon vs Lash Leroux

Leroux keeps it somewhat competitive but eventually Kanyon finishes him off with a flatliner.

Winner: Kanyon in 7:12

After the match, Kanyon gets on the mic. He has some quick words for Mike Sanders. He tells him the new era is the Kanyon era. And Mike Sanders made an enemy for life by stalling his progress on the way to the top. He put Sanders on the shelf last week and every time he tries to come back, he's going to do the same.

The Jung Dragons and Kimona come out for the next match but before it starts, Kimona gets on the mic. She calls out Eric Bischoff and tells him she's claustrophobic and refuses to be put in the cage at ringside for the upcoming match. Bischoff tells her she doesn't have to... but it's the only way she'll be allowed at ringside. And if she willingly declines to be at ringside for the match, as the contracted manager for The Jung Dragons, she will be fired. Kimona throws a tantrum and reluctantly gets in the cage before it is locked by the referee.

The Jung Dragons vs Air Raid (Kimona locked in a cage at ringside)

A quick-paced back and forth match. About 10 minutes in, Kimona suddenly passes out inside the cage. This causes the referee to run out and unlock the cage as EMTs rush to ringside to help Kimona. They put her on a stretcher and start to wheel her back. With the referee and Air Raid still distracted as the match is seemingly on hold, the Dragons attack Air Raid behind the ref's back and Yang slams Styles' head in the open cage door. He rolls him into the ring while the other two fight outside, gets the ref's attention and goes to the top for a leg drop and the 1-2-3.

Winners: The Jung Dragons in 13:40

Paris checks on an unconscious Styles in the ring as the Dragons back down the ramp, smiling and seemingly unconcerned as they celebrate their win. After the break, we see Kimona dramatically over-selling being disoriented as she's loaded into an ambulance.

Gene Okerlund welcomes Lex Luger to the ring. Luger talks about his issues with Midajah and Buff Bagwell and how he wants to get his hands on Buff. He explains his contract situation meaning Midajah has managerial rights and won't allow it. But it's time for a fresh start. He says he wants to be the fourth member of DDP, Booker and Dustin's team at the Clash.

With that, out comes Midajah and Buff. Buff reminds Luger he doesn't make those decisions... His manager does. Midajah takes the mic and tells Luger that since he's been so disappointing lately, he won't be embarassing himself in such a high profile match. Instead, she thinks it's best he prove himself by starting from the bottom tonight. And with that, here is his opponent...

Lex Luger vs Kwee Wee

Midajah and Buff are at ringside. A short match that is controlled by Luger for the most part. At one point Kwee Wee actually gets an advantage for about 10 seconds and this is enough for Midajah to send Buff into the ring to hit a blockbuster on Kwee Wee, causing the ref to call for the bell.

Winner by DQ: Kwee Wee in 3:37

Midajah gets the mic and bashes Luger, telling her she had to send in her A client to show him how it's done before her B client suffered an embarrassing pinfall loss.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Dustin Rhodes who hypes up the upcoming US Title match and warns Douglas that he's got backup and it's gonna be one on one. Suddenly Dusty comes into view and tells his son he's got his back tonight, too. Dustin says he let him fight without getting involved a couple weeks ago. He's got DDP and Booker in his corner and he wants Dusty to do him the same favor and stay in the back and out of harm's way.

James Allen and Chris Harris are in the ring for the next match. KroniK comes out and doesn't even wait for the bell to ring before attacking. They destroy Allen and Harris until officials come out to break it up. Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire run out and KroniK stands their ground. Both teams get a couple shots in while tons of officals stands between the two teams to break it up. KroniK eventually leaves the ring and The Thrillers get on the mic. They tell KroniK they won't take the titles by intimidation. They're gonna have to man up at Clash of the Champions.

WCW United States Title Tournament Finals: Shane Douglas vs Dustin Rhodes

DDP and Booker T are at ringside for the match. A great back and forth match with plenty of near falls. Dustin has control when suddenly we hear Jeff Jarrett's voice and he appears on the big screen standing by the production truck outside. "Hey, Dustin! What's more important to you? That US Title... or your old, washed-up daddy?" Suddenly the camera pans back to show Dusty Rhodes lying face down on the ground with Jindrak and Stasiak standing over him and Jarrett holding a baseball bat, positioning it over Dusty's head. DDP and Booker quickly run up the ramp as Dustin freezes watching them for a moment before starting to leave the ring himself. Just as he does, Douglas kicks the middle rope up between his legs, pulls him back in and delivers a Pittsburgh plunge for the 1-2-3.

Winner and NEW WCW United States Champion: Shane Douglas in 15:26

Douglas takes the title and celebrates with a huge smile over Dustin as we see DDP and Booker arrive outside the arena but Jarrett, Stasiak and Jindrak are gone. They kneel down to help Dusty but when they turn him face up, they realize it's a dummy. Dustin looks up to see this just as Jarrett, Stasiak and Jindrak come out to attack him along with Shane Douglas. They beat him down until DDP and Booker run out to make things a little more even. Finally, Dusty Rhodes comes out to help clean house, sending the heels running. Dusty grabs a mic and tells Jarrett that in 10 days he's gonna have to fight him like a man. No escape. No numbers game. No weapons. Just bare fists until someone can't take anymore. He's the 4th man on DDP, Booker and Dustin's team for War Games.

[#1-norm-fan]

(I actually thought both 4th guys would be kinda predictable. That's why I tried not to stretch out the announcements for more than a week as to make them seem like a huge deal. lol)

WCW.com post-show news

Clash of the Champions card

War Games:
Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes & Dusty Rhodes vs Jeff Jarrett, Shawn Stasiak, Mark Jindrak & Shane Douglas

WCW World Tag Team Title Match:
KroniK vs The Natural Born Thrillers

Street Fight:
Road Warrior Animal vs Mike Awesome

Special Referee: Rey Misterio Jr.
Konnan vs "Sugar" Shane Helms

Great American Bash card

WCW World Heavyweight Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page vs Booker T

Ratings

Nitro: .63 (Down from .66)
Raw: 5.31 (Up from 5.26)

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 3, July 2001)

Live from New Jersey, Tony Shciavonne and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the last Nitro before Clash of the Champions.

4 on 2 Handicap Match: KroniK vs Elix Skipper, Kid Romeo, James Allen and Chris Harris

KroniK faces the two teams they attacked in recent weeks. Skipper and Romeo walk out before ever getting in the ring leaving KroniK to make relatively short work of Allen and Harris.

Winners: KroniK in 3:56

After the match KroniK gets on the mic and tells us that Eric Bischoff has implemented a "no contact" rule between themselves and The Natural Born Thrillers to protect the tag title match. The Thrillers come out and face off with KroniK as KroniK calls them cowards, accusing them of asking Bischoff for protection. As tensions rise, The Harris Brothers come out of the crowd and attack The Thrillers from behind, leaving them beaten down. KroniK laughs and shakes hands with them.

We come back from break and The Rhodes', DDP and Booker T come out. Dustin explains that he was hesitant to accept Dusty as his partner but he knows he's the toughest man he's ever known and this Thursday night, Jarrett's team is gonna have to kill him to win War Games. This brings out Jarrett, Douglas, Jindrak and Stasiak with Stacy Keibler. After Jarrett, Jindrak and Douglas run down the Rhodes' family and tell them they're gonna put the old man out of his misery, Stacy grabs the mic to hype Shawn Stasiak and compare him to the old, out of shape fossil in the ring. Dusty has had enough and makes some vaguely sexual comments toward Stacy before telling her a set of muscles don't make him a real man and he challenges Stasiak to a match tonight. Stacy laughs it off and accepts.

Backstage, Gene Okerlund is with a special guest in Mike Sanders. Sanders discusses Kanyon's threats last week and then holds up a baseball bat and tells Kanyon he's gonna get his payback right in front of Kanyon's hometown crowd in Jersey. Eric Bischoff suddenly comes on screen to tell Sanders he's not cleared to compete and for the sake of Kanyon's protection, Sanders' protection and WCW's protection, he asks him to leave. Sanders looks angry before security comes in and he begrudgingly leaves the arena.

Kanyon vs Johnny Swinger

Kanyon controls the match for the most part until suddenly Mike Sanders' voice comes over the speakers. Kanyon looks over at the big screen to see Sanders standing outside calling for him. "Isn't it great to be performing in your hometown? Not having to stay in a hotel. Not having to rent a car..." As the camera zooms out we see that Sanders is standing on the roof of a car with the baseball bat. Kanyon freaks out as Sanders starts laying into the car, smashing the windows out. The distraction allows Swinger to roll Kanyon up and pick up the win.

Winner: Johnny Swinger in 7:12

Kanyon throws a tantrum and races out to find Sanders gone and his car totaled. Suddenly Sanders runs out from a corner, chasing Kanyon around the car with the bat until security comes out to take Sanders away while he yells with a maniacal grin that he's gonna make Kanyon's life a living hell.

Kimona comes out with The Jung Dragons and she speaks very dramatically about her ordeal last week. She says she's planning legal action against Eric Bischoff. Bischoff comes out and says she's a bad actress but if she is planning legal action, he thinks it's best that she not be at ringside for the upcoming match. The Filthy Animals' music hits and out come Rey Misterio Jr. and Billy Kidman as Kimona throws a fit while Bischoff orders her away from ringside.

Billy Kidman and Rey Mysterio vs The Jung Dragons

A good back and forth, fast-paced match ends with Kidman getting the pin on Kaz after a shooting star press.

Winners: The Filthy Animals in 11:00

After the match, The Jung Dragons attack from behind, beating down Kidman and Rey until Shane Helms runs out to help, taking it to both Jung Dragons before accidentally clotheslining Kidman when Yang ducks. Konnan runs out and beats down Helms until Rey pulls him off, telling him to calm down.

Buff Bagwell vs Kwee Wee

Lex Luger and Midajah are at ringside. Midajah gets on commentary to explain that she asked for this match so her star client could teach her B-level talent how it's done. After a referee bump, Midajah tells Luger to hand Bagwell a chair. Luger is reluctant but eventually gets the chair. After some hesitation, he suddenly goes to hit Bagwell with it as he leans over the ropes reaching for it but Kwee Wee rolls him up, incidentally taking him out of harms way. The ref comes to in time to count a 2 before Bagwell hits a blockbuster and gets the 3 count anyway as Midajah screams at Luger.

Winner: Buff Bagwell in 4:45

After the match, Midajah keeps the two of them apart and reminds Luger she controls him. He's either gonna be a team player or he'll be working the undercard for the rest of his career.

Road Warrior Animal vs Johnny the Bull

A relatively quick match that sees Animal win with a powerslam.

Winner: Road Warrior Animal in 4:17

After the match, Reno and Big Vito attack only to be fought off by Animal and Steiner. The distraction allows Lance Storm and Mike Awesome to run in and attack though. Storm brings in two tables and Awesome ends up powerbombing both men through one.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with an irate Chris Kanyon who tells Eric Bischoff as soon as Sanders is healthy, he wants him in the ring.

Dusty Rhodes vs Shawn Stasiak

Stasiak controls most of the match with Dusty getting some good licks in here and there. Eventually Dusty fights back and gets the upperhand with a flurry of offense. Stacy gets on the apron to distract him, unbuttoning and flirting with Dusty as he zones in on her. This allows Stasiak to run after him but he moves and Stasiak knocks Stacy off the apron and Dusty rolls him up for the 1-2-3 before sliding out of the ring and celebrating.

Winner: Dusty Rhodes in 9:16

Jarrett, Douglas and Jindrak rush out but Dusty escapes through the crowd. He works his way around to the top of the ramp where DDP, Booker and Dustin come out to join in on the celebration while Team Jarrett stands in the ring seething as the show goes off the air.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW.com post-show news

Clash of the Champions card

War Games:
Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes & Dusty Rhodes vs Jeff Jarrett, Shawn Stasiak, Mark Jindrak & Shane Douglas

WCW World Tag Team Title Match:
KroniK vs The Natural Born Thrillers

Street Fight:
Road Warrior Animal vs Mike Awesome

Special Referee: Rey Misterio Jr.
Konnan vs "Sugar" Shane Helms

Great American Bash card

WCW World Heavyweight Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page vs Booker T

Ratings

Nitro: .64 (Up from .63)
Raw: 5.17 (Down from 5.31)

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Good show. Every match on Nitro seemed to have some actual meaning to build towards Clash of the Champions. A novel concept that WWE seems to have forgotten about.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

Thanks, Vito. And yes, WWE really should try to focus on putting meaning behind all their segments.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Had some downtime tonight so I downloaded a new EWR stat update and set the clock back a month so I could get to June. Auto-booked the first two weeks to get right to Sunday’s MITB PPV.

I’m not saying I’ll stick with this game long-term (my track record, of course, suggests I won’t) but I did go out of my way to dump Main Event and replace it with NXT so I can actually book that as a show, and I created all of the NXT titles, too. So I’ve set my game “universe” the way I’d want to if I were going to do a long-term game. I’ve also said numerous times in the wrestling forum that I miss the roster split when it was done properly so I’ll probably re-institute that not too far in the future if I do wind up starting with this game.

Also, I’d only be doing occasional monthly recaps and fairly brief PPV results. Writing out 2-3 TV shows a week always wound up draining me to the point where I lost interest and then forgot all of my storylines when I chose to dive back in.

Anyway, here’s MITB, run with the scheduled card for Monday. I accidentally left CRZ in for recaps instead of Scott Keith, but based on some of the numbers I’d have to say Keith would have given it a huge thumbs up.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9f/MoneyintheBand2015poster.png/220px-MoneyintheBand2015poster.png

Pre-Show: R-Truth vs. King Barrett
R-Truth started the match off like a house of fire, but Barrett was eventually able to outmuscle him and win in convincing fashion with the Bullhammer. A clean win for Barrett? Wow, it’s almost as if the booker feels that the King of the Ring should actually come across as a credible performer, even if it is just the pre-show.
Winner: King Barrett
84% Match Quality, 78% Crowd Reaction, 81% Overall Rating

WWE Tag Team Championships: The New Day (C) vs. The Prime Time Players
Big E and Xavier Woods had to go it alone tonight with Kofi Kingston busy preparing for Money in the Bank later on. Late in the contest Big E and Darren Young the legal men as Big E blatantly attacks Titus O’Neil, sending him off the apron. The referee admonishes E in the corner as Woods sneaks in with a title belt shot on Young. Big Ending on Young and that is that. New Day rocks!
Winners and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions: The New Day
77% Match Quality, 73% Crowd Reaction, 75% Overall Rating

WWE Divas Championship: Paige vs. Nikki Bella (C)
Divas almost never have high-quality matches in EWR unless you have them racking up points in developmental, so this wasn’t bad all things considered. Nikki and Brie attempt a Twin Magic switch-off but Paige halts it. Paige rolls off of Nikki during a Rack Attack attempt and hits her with a German suplex. Paige locks in the PTO and Nikki taps out to end her 7 month reign. New champion!
Winner and NEW WWE Divas Champion: Paige
71% Match Quality, 74% Crowd Reaction, 73% Overall Rating

Money in the Bank Ladder Match
All 7 man flirted with victory at different points in the match and the fans were treated to a flurry of crazy spots that you can only see at MITB. Neville with the Red Arrow to Sheamus from off a ladder. Orton with a RKO to Ziggler off a ladder that Ziggler sells like death. All kinds of hijinx with Kofi and the other members of New Day who ran in on his behalf. But in the end, when the Director of Operations, Kane, appeared primed to win the briefcase for the second time in his career, Reigns came flying in with a Superman Punch from another ladder, sending Kane crashing down to the mat. Reigns maintained his grasp on Kane’s ladder and reached up to grab the briefcase and become Mr. Money in the Bank 2015! Reigns continues his monster 2015 and has a title match at any time in the next year.
Winner: Roman Reigns
92% Match Quality, 90% Crowd Reaction, 91% Overall Rating

Kevin Owens vs. John Cena
I bet nobody saw the MITB ladder match being that good, so Owens/Cena had an incredibly hard act to follow. They had themselves another excellent match, showcasing much of the same drama seen at Elimination Chamber. Cena somehow seemed even harder to put down than last time. The brawl reaches the outside of the ring. Cena charges and ends up being Pop Up Powerbombed on the ring apron! Shades of Sami Zayn several times at NXT. With Cena out cold Owens slid back into the ring for the countout victory! Owens has defeated John Cena again!
Winner (via countout): Kevin Owens
81% Match Quality, 87% Crowd Reaction, 85% Overall Rating
Kevin Owens gained overness from this segment

Kevin Owens’ actions speak louder than words
A winded Owens grabbed the mic and prepared to tell the crowd about how he always keeps his promises – until he looked outside the ring and seeing Cena, against all odds, ignoring attention from the referees and getting back to his feet. Owens drops the mic and Powerbombs Cena on the apron again. The announcers are appalled, even JBL is willing to concede that he went too far. Cena does a stretcher job as a smug and confident Owens leaves with the NXT Title in tow.
81% Overall Rating
John Cena lost overness from this segment, apparently EWR feels Cena actually getting stretchered out is unrealistic

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Big Show vs. Ryback (C)
These two big strong men slug it out in, well, sluggish fashion. In fairness, the match quality still wound up being better than expected as both guys have decent brawl numbers. Anyway, the entire match builds to the big moment at the end with Ryback showing off his brute strength: hoisting Big Show for the Shellsock. 3 seconds later and Ryback has retained his title.
Winner and STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Ryback
74% Match Quality, 81% Crowd Reaction, 78% Overall Rating

Ladder Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins (C)
Both men did absolutely inhumane things to each other with a ladder in what was these bitter rivals’ most vicious match to date. Plenty of near-victories on both sides. As expected though, chicanery occurred near the end. Out comes Kane, who sicks J&J Security on Ambrose. Rollins ended up throwing J&J out of the ring, insisting on winning it on his own and that he doesn’t need any help. Kane enters the ring and he and Rollins get into a shouting match. They throw haymakers at one another and end up brawling on the outside. Chokeslam to Rollins through the announce table! BUT WAIT…Ambrose has regained his composure in the ring…and he grabs the belt!
Winner and NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Dean Ambrose
91% Match Quality, 98% Crowd Reaction, 95% Overall Rating

Kane looks gob-smacked as a maniacal Ambrose celebrates atop the ladder, his dream finally accomplished. The celebration doesn’t last long, as J&J recover and pull him back down. The new champion falls victim to a 3-on-1 beatdown until Reigns’ music hits. Reigns rushes down, briefcase in hand and he uses it as a weapon to knock J&J out. He tosses the case to Kane and then Superman Punches it in right into his face.

Reigns pulls his former Shield brother Ambrose to his feet and offers him an embrace. He raises the champ’s hand as the crowd loses their shit. They pose in the corners for the fans. Ambrose jumps down off a corner, turns around, and HOLY CHRIST – SPEAR TO AMBROSE!

Reigns summons the referee to get back into the ring and hands over his newly won briefcase, which can only mean one thing…

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose (C)
Reigns simply pins the already downed Ambrose to win the title. The arena is shocked that Reigns betrayed his “brother” and the announcers are at a complete loss for words. If JR were here he’d close the show with BAH GAWD THE LANDSCAPE OF WWE HAS CHANGED! This wasn’t really a match, but EWR has to treat it as one in order to change the belts accurately…so it gets good ratings, dammit!
88% Match Quality, 88% Crowd Reaction, 87% Overall Rating
Roman Reigns gained overness from this turn (technically the heel turn was tacked onto the end of the title match but whatever)

83% Overall Rating for Money in the Bank
1.89 Buy Rate</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

How the fuck did you squeeze a 70+ rating out of a Nikki Bella match?? lol

I'm one of the few people who are totally cool with the idea of a Reigns title reign heel or face at the moment so thumbs up for the end. You should stick with this. It will help motivate me to stick with mine, too.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, the diva's match was a bit surprising. Paige's stats are pretty good, but Nikki's aren't horrible either. They might be a bit generous, but in fairness she does seem to have gotten a bit better recently. Also she gets pretty big reactions because all of the male fans in the audience want to motorboat her fake breasts, so that adds to the overall match rating.

I had a lot of different ideas for the main event. I tried to keep things somewhat realistic in that I can totally see Reigns walking out of MITB as champion. I think the more realistic scenario would be Rollins winning and Reigns cashing in after (possibly setting up Ambrose to turn on Reigns instead out of jealousy). I know people like Austin have advocated a Reigns heel turn but I'm not sure Vince is going to be willing to do that yet.

I considered doing that with the idea that Rollins would earn the fans' respect by shrugging off the Authority and winning on his own, therefore sorta turning face and making Reigns' cash in seem like a dick move. But it would have flopped in EWR since I needed Reigns to screw over a legit face, Rollins' disposition is still heel.

My idea is pretty much what I said I'd like to see happen in the Elimination Chamber thread. As a result I also already know my Battleground and SummerSlam main events plus I've planned an admittedly lame angle that will at least give me a kayfabe reason to bring back the split soon. Gives me reason to keep playing to see it through. Also it's kinda funny seeing the 3 Shield members having all held the belt on the same day in my title history.</font>

[loopydate]

I keep wanting to play more of my game, but with Nitro and Thunder both canceled, it's way less fun. Still trying to get WCW a TV deal, but it's not as interesting to me to book WWF and ECW without WCW in the mix.

Came up with an idea for something involving the three remaining active TPWW simmers, but I'm still trying to figure out logistics. Would you guys be up to, in theory, doing an Amrchair Warfare type game where we pick rosters draft-style based on the next stat update and book entirely new promotions from scratch?

[#1-norm-fan]

Possibly. I'd have to try out EWR a little and see if I can get into it again. I feel spoiled by TEW.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'd definitely be interested in giving it a try. It's not a major time commitment or anything.</font>

[loopydate]

It would be however much of a commitment you wanted to make it. I'm basically envisioning us each creating a "draft board," then I'd go through and allocate people to the different Feds based on how they ranked on each board. Figure out the minimum number of guys you need to run a Global promotion and start the rosters with that many. Then you can sign whatever "free agents" are left on a first-come first-served basis. Do however many shows you want, have however many titles you want, etc. etc.

[#1-norm-fan]

I've never done an "armchair warfare" thing before. Would we have to trade the files back and forth after each booked show or just book our shows without using the other guys' talent or... how exactly does it work?

[loopydate]

I was thinking the latter. Maybe when the file is created, we make the other two promotions with their rosters. If somebody gets released in-game they're fair game to sign? Could create some fun situations where all of a sudden somebody jumps ship mid-story.

[#1-norm-fan]

So say if the AI drops a guy in my game who is on yours or Vito's roster, he'd be free to sign and you'd have to release him in your game? Seems like it would be a bit of a mess.

[loopydate]

You're probably right. Was thinking it could be a fun way to create surprise jumps, but it definitely opens the door for some craziness.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I've continued plugging along booking television in the build up to Battleground. Admittedly though, with the exception of my top few stories my booking is pretty much unfocused for everyone in the undercard (lol at least I'm being realistic :lol: ). There are just so many people I'm trying to fit onto television. It's pretty much the reason why I always wind up bringing back the split in my game and this will be no exception. Trying to get through SummerSlam and then bring it back sometime soon after so I can actually try to develop some proper stories.

Anyway, Battleground is more or less being built around 2 matches anyway as sort of a filler PPV before the SummerSlam build begins in earnest. The main event is the sensible one: a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Title between the 3 former members of the Shield. Rollins and Ambrose both have valid claims to the title having both lost it at MITB. Ambrose is his usual maniacal self and is even more unhinged now after being betrayed by his other "brother". Rollins has slowly become more sympathetic - pissed off that the Authority interfered in his MITB match when he didn't need the help and Kane basically screwed him over outright. And Reigns is being booked as a badass heel champ, polar opposite to what Rollins had been doing up until MITB.

In a perfect world, I'd have loved to have somehow held off on this triple threat until WM 32 but I have no idea if I'll play long enough to see it through, and with the split soon to come back it might be tough to get them all in the same angle again. I'd rather just get it out of my system now, just over a year since the faction split - and then let each man go into their own stories for the time being.

I also have Cena actually staying offscreen, selling the injuries sustained from Owens from the apron powerbomb. Owens has been committing gimmick infringement, doing his own Open Challenges on Raw for the NXT Title and he's also issuing an open challenge for the NXT Title at Battleground. I know who I will pick for it and I'm sure it'll be a really good match to help generate interest in NXT moving forward.

Speaking of NXT, I've actually been borrowing some of the lower card guys from the main roster (such as what Zack Ryder is doing in real life) as the actual NXT roster I have to work with right now is pretty small. I have a ton of people in the actual in-game development system because their ratings are just way too low to use in televised matches and therefore can't use those people on my NXT TV show. Even some of the ones I'm using like Blake & Murphy are horribly unready and might get "demoted" so I can build their stats. I had them drop the tag belts to Enzo & Cass who at least have some charisma to get by on. May sign a few more former WWE guys to beef up the NXT roster a la Rhyno and The Brian Kendrick.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

I have the same problem when I'm playing a WWE game as far as the roster being too full to focus on everyone. And that's with TEW where I can book way more than just 11 segments and include way more guys. I usually try to roll with kind of an unofficaly semi-roster split. Having the main guys rarely show up on Smackdown while the upper-midcar/IC Title scene regularly main events Smackdown making it seem like a bigger deal. Kinda like what WCW did with WCW Saturday Night when Nitro started.

With the network, I'd definitely take advantage of Superstars and Main Event, too. Let them actually have storylines focused on lower card guys kinda like NXT was before it became developmental. I'm not sure how any of this would translate to be useful in EWR though.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Clash of the Champions XXXVI (July 19th 2001)

The opening video airs focusing on the War Games main event, the pyro goes off and Tony Schiavonne, Jerry "The King" Lawler and Mike Tenay welcome us to the show.

WCW World Tag Team Title Match: KroniK vs Natural Born Thrillers

We get a ref bump late in the match. This allows The Harris Brothers to come out and attempt to interfere. One of them attempts to hit Palumbo with one of the tag title belts before getting knocked off the apron. Palumbo picks up the title and turns around, hitting Clarke with it as the ref comes to and calls for the bell.

Winners by DQ: KroniK in 11:23

After the match, KroniK and the Harris Brothers beat down The Thrillers as road agents and referees come out to stop them only to get beaten down themselves. After the damage is done, KroniK stands over the Thrillers, posing with the title as we go backstage.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Road Warrior Animal and Rick Steiner. Steiner makes it clear he won't let Lance Storm be a factor in the upcoming match.

Hardcore Match: Road Warrior Animal vs Mike Awesome

It doesn't take long for Storm to try to get involved and Steiner goes on the attack, chasing Steiner down the ramp and out of harm's way. The match continues one on one until the camera catches Steiner backstage looking for Storm. Suddenly Storm comes up from behind, knocking Steiner into a room and propping a chair under the door handle. He then heads to the ring, pushing Animal off the top rope as he has Awesome laid out on a table. The two of them double team Animal for a bit and after an Awesome Bomb through a table, the match is over.

Winner: Mike Awesome in 9:56

After the brutal 2-on-1 beatdown, shades of what Team Canada did to Jim Duggan just a month ago, Storm and Awesome taunt the crowd as EMTs come out to help a motionless Animal.

We get a backstage interview with Jeff Jarrett, Shane Douglas, Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak as they prepare for war.

Midajah comes out with Buff and Luger, again hyping Buff as the star of the team while Luger stands by seething.

Buff Bagwell vs Hugh Morris

Luger begrudgingly helps Bagwell midway through the match by tripping Morris as he runs the ropes. Torrie Wilson is seen coming out and watching the end of the match from the top of the entrance ramp much to the confusion of everyone. The match ends with Buff hitting a blockbuster for the 1-2-3.

Winner: Buff Bagwell in 5:33

Rey Mysterio Jr., decked out in his referee shirt is backstage with Gene Okerlund, telling him how conflicted he is about reffing this match. When Gene asks him if he'll show favoritism he simply shakes his head and responds "I don't know".

"Sugar" Shane Helms vs Konnan (Special Referee: Rey Mysterio Jr.)

A hard-hitting back and forth match sees both men questioning Rey about the speed of his count at different times. Konnan gets the upper hand but can't put Helms away. This frustration leads to Konnan choking Helms out in the corner as Rey tries to pull him off. Konan then trades the choke for kicks as Helms sits in the corner and Konnan ignore's Rey. Finally Rey calls for the bell to DQ Konnan and Konnan looks on in anger.

Winner by DQ: "Sugar" Shane Helms in 11:30

After the match, Konnan continues his attack and when Rey tries to pull him off again, Konnan blasts him with a punch, knocking him down. Billy Kidman runs out and a frustrated Konnan just stands there, hands on his head as Rey and Konnan watch him walk out of the ring.

Booker T, DDP and the Rhodes' are backstage with Mean Gene and we are just moments from War Games. After a quick video recapping what's led us here, the cage comes down and David Penzer announces the rules.

War Games: Booker T, Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes and Dusty Rhodes vs Jeff Jarrett, Shane Douglas, Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak

The two men to start the match are chosen. It will be Diamond Dallas Page and Mark Jindrak start the match. Some slow build for 5 minutes as Jindrak holds his own quite well and the first advantage goes to... Team Jarrett.

Shawn Stasiak enters the ring and Stacy looks on in approval as her men spend 2 minutes beating down page before...

Booker T enters to even things up again. He cleans house and allows DDP to make a comeback.

Next in to give team the face team their first advantage is Dustin Rhodes. He gets in and as soon as the ref closes the cage, Stacy walks around to distract Dusty. Suddenly, Douglas attacks him from behind as Jarrett throws the referee responsible for the door out of the way. Before anyone in the ring knows what's happening, Douglas places Dusty's head between the door and the cage and slams it, knocking him out cold. Dustin immediately looks out and rushes to the cage door only to have Jarrett hold it shut and taunt him while Douglas kicks and unconscious Dusty. EMTs run out to help and finally Jarrett and Douglas back off, allowing Dustin to come out as they run through the crowd and stand back laughing while Dustin opts to check on his father as opposed to chasing them. As the EMTs load him on the stretcher, Dustin seemingly forgets about the match and leaves with him.

This allows Jarrett and Douglas to enter the match with a 4 on 2 advantage. Booker and DDP fight valiantly before DDP ends up getting busted open and passing out while in a figure four forcing the ref to call for the bell.

Winners: Jeff Jarrett, Shane Douglas, Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak in 20:12

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 4, July 2001)

As Schiavonne and Lawler discuss the events of Thursday night and the hideous actions of Shane Douglas and Jeff Jarrett, Kanyon makes his way to the ring.

He calls out Mike Sanders only for Johnny Swinger to come out and taunt Kanyon about his loss last week. As Kanyon fumes, Mike Sanders' voice is heard and he comes on telling Kanyon he's not in the arena. He loved Kanyon's hometown so much last week, he decided to come back. He's even got a date tonight. The camera pans back and Sanders is standing in front of a limo and an older woman comes into view and Sanders kisses her hand, opening the limo door for her. Kanyon looks on shocked and yells "MOM!?!" Sanders gets in the limo with a smile as the feed cuts. Swinger is laughing hysterically at Kanyon and Kanyon rushes him only to get thrown out of the ring and throw a tantrum.

We come back from break and Midajah is out with Buff and Luger. She tells Luger she's going to let Luger sit back and watch how a winner performs. She issues an open challenge for Buff and out comes a returning Fit Finlay!

Buff Bagwell vs Fit Finlay

Torrie Wilson makes another surprise appearance, this time actually coming down the ramp. Bagwell takes control of the match but is distracted when he sees Torrie making eyes at him. Midajah walks around to Torrie and the two get in a screaming match but the distraction is enough for Buff to turn around into a kneeling reverse piledriver by Finlay for the win.

Winner: Fit Finlay in 9:17

Torrie leaves with a smile as Midajah turns around and chews out Luger for allowing Bagwell to lose as we head to break.

America's Most Wanted vs Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo

We get a quick recap during the entrances of Skipper and Romeo walking out on AMW last week. A fast paced tag match ends with AMW hitting a death sentence bearhug/top rope leg drop combo for the upset win.

Winners: America's Most Wanted in 8:42

Backstage we see Konnan with Gene Okerlund. He asks Konan to explain his actions from the Clash of the Champions. Konnan says he'll do it face to face in the ring...

We come back from break with Konnan calling out his fellow Filthy Animals stable mates Rey Mysterio and Billy Kidman. He apologizes for how things got out of hand last Thursday night and how his love for his brothers makes him go a little crazy when he thinks they've been wronged. Eventually he hugs both men. Suddenly Chavo Guererro runs out, grabbing Billy Kidman's leg and pulling out from the ring. Mysterio turns around to help but is quickly spun around by Konnan who throws a fireball in Rey's face! Rey immediately falls to the ground, writhing in pain as an expressionless Konnan slowly backs away and out of the ring while Chavo runs away from Kidman and through the crowd. Kidman rushes to Rey's aid as Konnan backs down the ramp staring at the scene showing no emotion.

We come back to EMTs helping Rey into an ambulance as his face is being covered with a towel and Kidman and "Sugar" Shane Helms leave to the hospital with him.

Rick Steiner vs Lance Storm

Just a few minutes into a match that mostly sees Storm using his speed advantage to avoid Steiner and get in some offense, Steiner grabs Storm and begins to strike only for Mike Awesome to interfere and cause the DQ.

Winner by DQ: Rick Steiner in 3:07

The two start a double team and Awesome holds Steiner's arms behind his back. Storm gets on the mic and taunts Steiner, reminding him that every time he tries to get a partner, they get taken out. Road Warrior Animal then rushes the ring to even the sides but it sends Awesome and Storm retreating. Animal then gets on the mic to tell Team Canada "Don't hunt what you can't kill." He says there's not gonna be any surprises and no numbers game next time. Because at The Great American Bash it's Team Canada vs Steiner and Animal. Falls Count Anywhere.

The Jung Dragons come out with Kimona for the next match when Eric Bischoff makes his way out. He talks to Kimona and asks her how the lawsuit is going. He then orders a video to play. It's a video Bischoff says was sent to him by a fan. It shows Kimona at a club dancing in a stripper cage. After showing it, Bischoff questions Kimona's dramatic response to being in that cage two weeks ago. Kimona stumbles over her words before Bischoff eventually tells her she's fired! She gets escorted out by security leaving The Jung Dragons all alone.

The Jung Dragons vs Jamie Noble and Lash LeRoux

In another tag team upset after a good fast paced match, Jamie Noble rolls up Kaz for the 3 to pick up the win over his former teammates.

Winners: Jamie Noble and Lash LeRoux in 5:19

KroniK is backstage with The Harris Brothers talking to Mean Gene. KroniK says The Harris Brothers were meant to stop NBT from weaseling their way to keeping the titles and they failed. But tonight, The Harris Brothers are gonna earn their paycheck by softening NBT up. Eric Bischoff comes on screen and tells KroniK he's in a firing mood. And if they lay their hands on Palumbo or O'Haire tonight, they'll be fired too.

Natural Born Thrillers vs The Harris Brothers

The Harris Brothers get the advantage early on but it slowly turns into a Thrillers offenseive onslaught finally finishing with a double superkick on Ron for the pinfall.

Winners: Natural Born Thrillers in 7:36

After the match, The Thrillers look into the camera to tell KroniK with their "protection" dealt with... they're next.

Jeff Jarrett, Shane Douglas, Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak come out to the ring and call out Eric Bischoff. He comes out and Jarrett tells him now that they've gone to war and dominated the "faces of the company" ruined the GAB main event, they all have demands. And those demands include gold. Bischoff gets on the mic and tells Jindrak and Stasiak he's willing to give them a shot at the tag titles for their performance in War Games. He then tells Shane Douglas and Jeff Jarrett that he's not as impressed with what they did to Dusty. He denies either of them a shot at the World Title and says they'll have to earn it the right way.

There's a commotion outside and Dustin Rhodes is heading into the arena baseball bat in hand and and look on his face that says he's out for blood. Diamond Dallas Page and Booker T make their entrance too and surround the ring. The three of them jump in the ring to attack only for Jarrett and Douglas to push Jindrak and Stasiak into harms way and quickly slide out the bottom rope to escape. After Rhodes lands a couple bat shots, DDP and Booker trade finishing moves on Jindrak and Stasiak as Jarrett and Douglas back down the aisle having escaped harm. Bischoff tells Jarrett and Douglas that if they wanna be part of the Great American Bash main event and have their shot at the world title, they'll have their chance to prove it next week... when they team up to face Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW.com post-show news

Next Week on Nitro

Jeff Jarrett and Shane Douglas vs Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page. If Jarrett and Douglas win, they are inserted into the World Title match at The Great American Bash.

Great American Bash card

WCW World Heavyweight Title Match: Diamond Dallas Page vs Booker T

Falls Count Anywhere: Rick Steiner and Road Warrior Animal vs Team Canada

WCW World Tag Team Title Triple Threat Match: The Natural Born Thrillers vs KroniK vs Jindrak and Stasiak

Ratings

Nitro: .63 (Down from .64)
Raw: 5.35 (Up from 5.17)

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Good shows, fan. I like Jarrett and Douglas attempting to force their way into the main event. I imagine a 4-way works out a lot better than a face vs. face DDP and Booker match given that neither DDP nor Booker seem to show any animosity towards one another.

Can't say I saw Konnan throwing a fireball coming</font> :lol:

[Evil Vito]

With the network, I'd definitely take advantage of Superstars and Main Event, too. Let them actually have storylines focused on lower card guys kinda like NXT was before it became developmental. I'm not sure how any of this would translate to be useful in EWR though.

<font color=goldenrod>Before I started my game I considered keeping Main Event on Tuesdays and putting Superstars on Friday or something. The idea would be that they'd be officially the new Heat and Velocity (the B-shows, one for Raw and one for SmackDown) and it'd allow me to utilize the undercard. But that's just going to be so much booking. Even if those two shows and NXT are only 6 segments long, I'd still be booking 5 shows a week. Just way too much for my tastes.

I do think there's a chance that my lower card guys will wind up losing morale due to never being booked. I'll probably cheat and just convert them from wrestlers to managers. EWR is not designed for a brand split so it's very easy for people to drop in morale due to a perceived lack of use. But if they're managers they don't give a shit. In my "world" Main Event and Superstars are still around as the B-shows, I just don't book them.

I already had to do that with guys like Bryan (who I'm treating as injured). Otherwise he'd be a main eventer never getting booked and he'd threaten to quit sooner rather than later.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

<font color=goldenrod>Good shows, fan. I like Jarrett and Douglas attempting to force their way into the main event. I imagine a 4-way works out a lot better than a face vs. face DDP and Booker match given that neither DDP nor Booker seem to show any animosity towards one another.

Can't say I saw Konnan throwing a fireball coming</font> :lol:

lol I watched a Jerry Lawler fireball angle in Memphis a couple months ago and it stuck in my head. As the story unfolds it will make more sense.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Alright, scoured the market for some former WWE guys and I signed up a few to help beef up NXT while I try to up the stats for the actual "prospects" in development.

Brought in Kaval given that he just left TNA in real life. I'm not sure he'd have any desire to actually go back to WWE given how he was treated after winning NXT Season 2, but whatever. NXT is its own animal really...and seeing as I could have hired real-life blackballed guys like Colt Cabana I'd say Kaval is at least somewhat more realistic. John Morrison has also returned. He's said he couldn't deal with the grind of a WWE schedule...but I'd assume he wouldn't be averse to doing a NXT taping every so often.

I also signed up Carlito as well and am waiting to re-debut him. He's a guy who reportedly has an open door if he ever wanted to make a comeback down the road, so he'll work some good matches against guys like Balor.

I'm also planning on a couple more signings for down the road. All of the veteran signings I do are likely to be short-term type deals to help supplant the barren NXT roster. Once I have Zayn and Itami return from "injury" and I get a few more people ready for television I'll have more options.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

WWE is weird right now as far as making an EWR game in that your "developmental" is much higher profile than your B shows. Normally I'd say make "NXT" your developmental and worry more about your lower card main roster guys but it makes sense that you wanna actually book NXT.

I also love the idea of bringing in some older guys. Loved it when Rhino and Kendrick came in to NXT. Made it seem more like a legit brand. Morrison is a perfect candidate for that role. There's 4 or 5 feuds I can think of just using the guys who are in NXT now that you can put him in that would be amazing. Already picturing some sort of interaction with him and Tyler Breeze.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yep, Morrison's return was him making the save against Breeze. That was a lock for his first feud back.

But yeah, NXT is my favorite thing about WWE in real life so that's why I wanted to book it. But while I want to book it, the actual stats of most of the roster are so low. My male NXT roster that I can count on for good matches is pretty much Joe, Balor, Breeze, Rhyno, Kendrick, the women, and the older guys I signed. Owens is still the champ but about to move to the main roster outright and Zayn/Itami are hurt. I still have a few more on the "active" roster (Enzo, Cass, Corbin, etc) but they really aren't any good from a ring work standpoint.

I signed the veterans to 6 month deals. I may keep them longer but if nothing else it should bide time for me to replenish the roster.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

(Gonna start just copying and pasting the weake descriptions for some of the less eventful matches to save time and hopefully encourage me to keep going with this. lol)

WCW Nitro (Week 1, August 2001)

3 weeks away from The Great American Bash, the show starts with Mean Gene in the ring and he introduces Diamond Dallas Page followed by WCW World Heavyweight Champion Booker T. They take turns talking about how ready they are for revenge tonight after what happened just 11 days ago at War Games. They turn their attention to each other and their desire to go one-on-one and prove who the better man is. Page refers to the potential match as "The people's champion vs The world champion" and Booker half-heartedly takes offense, telling Page that he considers himself both. As the two of them playfully play to the crowd and banter back and forth, we get a hint of tension before they shake hands, hug and play to the crowd.

Natural Born Thrillers vs The Mamalukes (Vito and Reno)

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Natural Born Thrillers defeated The Mamalukes when Sean O'Haire defeated Reno by pinfall with a Double Superkick.

Winners: Natural Born Thrillers in 5:34

Mean Gene with Midajah and Lex Luger. She cuts off Gene's introduction, frantically yelling that she can't find Buff. She warns Luger that if he's done something to him, she will make him pay as Luger feigns innocence. Suddenly Buff comes into the shot in street clothes apologizing to Midajah. "I'm sorry. I had a date last night, I had a bit much to drink and I woke up late..." Midajah doesn't seem happy with this excuse. His match is next...

Buff Bagwell vs Fit Finlay

Buff comes out in his street clothes and barely gets any offense in as his complete lack of preparation leads to Finlay picking up the relatively easy win.

Winner: Fit Finlay in 5:18

After the match, Midajah gets in the ring to yell at Buff but out comes Torrie Wilson who makes a b line for her and flirts with Buff a little before taking Midajah down! A catfight ensues and Buff pulls Midajah off and separates the two as Lex Luger stands in a corner of the ring trying to contain his laughter. Midajah gets on the mic and demands Buff stop seeing Torrie but Buff simply stares awkwardly unable to agree. Torrie suggests they fight for him. Next week. Winner gets Buff all to herself. Personally and professionally and the other walks away for good. Midajah shakes her head at Buff's lack of willpower and accepts.

Kanyon vs Johnny Swinger

Kanyon comes out, clearly still visibly angry over the events of last week with Mike Sanders and his mother. The match starts and it's only a few minutes in before Sanders' music hits and out he comes with a smile on his face. He informs Kanyon that he's just a couple weeks from being cleared for action again after Kanyon injured him over a month ago. He says out of respect to his mother, he's decided to forgive him though. "And by the way. Just in case there was any question. Your mom can officially confirm. Mike Sanders is definitely above average." Sanders gives Kanyon a taunting wink as Kanyon goes apeshit before getting rolled up by Johnny Swinger and upset for the second time in three weeks.

Winner: Johnny Swinger in 4:44

After the match, Kanyon goes ballistic, tearing apart everything at ringside he can get his hands on.

Konnan heads to the ring with Chavo Guerrero following behind. He gets a chair and sits in the middle of the ring with Guerrero at his side and speaks on what happened last week...

"A lot of people were shocked at my actions. It had to be done though. I came to realize it a couple months ago. Shane Helms was an outsider. He wasn't part of our family. He showed his true colors. And when I tried to make it right, I realized my brothers had gone soft. They forgave him. They treated HIM like family. And I was treated like the bad guy. And then the ultimate betrayal. At Clash of the Champions... Rey chose him over me. And that's when it dawned on me. This was years in the making. 2 years to be exact. 2 years ago... Rey allowed this company to rob him of his heritage and take the mask off his face. He laid down and accepted it and I stood behind him. Just like he accepted it when Shane Helms took money from his pocket in that match. And I stood behind him again. And I was paid back with betrayal. So call it tough love. But today Rey is wearing a mask again. One that is scarred on his face."

The crowd starts to get loud as Billy Kidman and Shane Helms rush the ring, sending Konnan and Chavo retreating and looking on from down the aisle. Konnan tells Kidman he had Chavo protect him last week because he still thinks he can be saved. He'll give him a week to think about it and choose between himself and Helms.

The Harris Brothers are about to be interviewed backstage when KroniK interrupts and tells them they paid them a lot of money to ensure the Thrillers couldn't escape with the titles and they've failed. Now tonight, they want them to take out the newest team standing in their way.

The Harris Brothers vs Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Jindrak and Stasiak defeated Harris Brothers when Shawn Stasiak defeated Don Harris by pinfall.

Winners: Jindrak and Stasiak in 5:41

After the match, KroniK comes out and Jindrak and Stasiak escape the ring. KroniK turns to the Harris Brothers and absolutely destroy them leaving them down and out in the middle of the ring.

Rick Steiner and Road Warrior Animal vs Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo

In an extremely short match, Rick Steiner and Animal defeated Skipper and Romeo when Rick Steiner defeated Kid Romeo by pinfall with a Flying Bulldog.

Winners: Steiner and Animal in 3:49

After the match, Team Canada shows up on the screen standing somewhere outside. Awesome stands behind Storm as he talks about Steiner and Animal being the last two pieces of the two greatest tag teams of all time trying to regain the glory. And at the Bash, they will kill two birds with one stone. The camera backs up and shows a pair of spiked shoulder pads and a Michigan letterman jacket laying on the ground as Awesome lights a match and symbolically sets them on fire.

Jarrett and Douglas are interviewed backstage and explain their plan. How after they win tonight, they'll take out both men first at the Bash and then it's one on one between them for the world title.

Jeff Jarrett and Shane Douglas vs Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page

A back and forth main event with good action and heat comes to a climax when the match breaks down with all four men in the ring. Page's scar from being busted open at War Games opens up again leaving him bleeding by the end. The finish comes when Douglas avoids a missile dropkick and Booker accidentally knocks DDP into a rollup by Jarrett for the 1-2-3.

Winners: Jarrett and Douglas in 17:39

After the match, Jarrett and Douglas celebrate at ringside as Booker checks on DDP inside the ring. Suddenly Eric Bischoff's music hits...

"Congrats. I told you I wasn't pleased with your actions at War Games but you did earn the chance to get into the title match at the Bash and you succeeded. I'm not so sure why you're celebrating though, Shane. Maybe I didn't make it clear last week. If you won the match... you get your title shot. And I didn't see you WIN the match for your team. So unfortunately at The Great American Bash, Jeff will be in the ring with Booker T and Diamond Dallas Page alone. But don't worry, Shane. You'll be in a title match too. In honor of the man you so viciously attacked 8 days ago, you'll be defending the US Title in a Texas Bullrope Match against..."

Bischoff gives a smile and out comes Dustin Rhodes with a bullrope over his shoulders staring down Douglas as he looks on with an angry expression while the show fades to black.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW.com post-show news

Next Week on Nitro
Shane Douglas vs Diamond Dallas Page

Torrie Wilson vs Midajah (Loser leaves Buff Bagwell alone for good)

Konnan makes Billy Kidman choose between himself and Shane Helms

Great American Bash card

WCW World Heavyweight Title Match: Booker T (c) vs Diamond Dallas Page vs Jeff Jarrett

WCW United States Title Texas Bullrope Match: Shane Douglas (c) vs Dustin Rhodes

Falls Count Anywhere: Rick Steiner and Road Warrior Animal vs Team Canada

WCW World Tag Team Title Triple Threat Match: The Natural Born Thrillers vs KroniK vs Jindrak and Stasiak

Kanyon vs Mike Sanders

Ratings

Nitro: .65 (Up from .63)
Raw: 5.46 (Up from 5.35)

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Nice twist at the end there. So weird to imagine Bischoff actually being a proper face authority figure, but I dig it.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 2, August 2001)

Schiavonne and Lawler welcome us to Nitro 13 days away from The Great American Bash...

Dustin Rhodes opens the show in the ring, bullrope in hand, cutting an emotional promo about Shane Douglas. He points out some blood on the bullrope. It's the same bullrope Jarrett used on his father weeks ago and that blood is just a reminder. He promised Bischoff he'd wait until The Bash to take his aggression out on Douglas legally in the middle of the ring but he makes it clear that he hasn't forgotten about Jeff Jarrett.

Air Raid vs Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak (w/ Stacy Keibler)

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Jindrak and Stasiak defeated Air Raid when Shawn Stasiak defeated Air Styles by pinfall.

Winners: Stasiak and Jindrak in 8:50

After the match, Stacy gets on the mic to hype her men as the "reflections of perfection". She mentions their history as original members of The Natural Born Thrillers and that in 13 days they will become champions.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Midajah, Buff Bagwell and Lex Luger. Midajah berates Buff for putting her in the situation of having to beat his "girlfriend" in order to save his career while Lex holds back laughter and Buff tries to talk her out of the match, saying he can handle both of them but to no avail.

Midajah vs Torrie Wilson

In what basically amounts to a 3 minute catfight, a conflicted Buff Bagwell stands at ringside pacing. Eventually, Torrie goes for a pin and Buff subtly grabs Midajah's foot preventing the kickout and giving Torrie the win!

Winner: Torrie Wilson in 2:38

After the match, Midajah throws a tantrum. Buff gets in the ring with a smile and shrugs at Midajah as he walks over to Torrie. He leans in for a kiss and suddenly Torrie slaps Buff! He looks at her shocked as she grabs the mic. She tells Midajah she can keep him... under two conditions. #1... Lex Luger is set free. And #2... It's Buff vs Luger at The Great American Bash. Buff looks at Midajah and suddenly begins to stroke her hair and sweet talk her. Midajah just gives him an evil look and yells "I accept!" as Buff turns around, Lex Luger nails him with a right hand, knocking him to the ground and sending him running as Luger and Torrie hug and Midajah screams her lungs out at the situation she's found herself in.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Booker T. He asks him about accidentally hitting DDP last week and costing themselves the one-on-one match for the title. DDP comes into frame and Booker apologizes. DDP says that he understands how getting Jarrett in the match might have actually Booker if he didn't think he could beat DDP by giving him someone else he could pin. Booker takes it as an insult and the exchange ends with DDP apologizing for questioning him and extending his hand. Booker rejects the handshake and just says "Good luck tonight" before leaving DDP hanging.

Team Canada vs America's Most Wanted

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Team Canada defeated America's Most Wanted when Lance Storm defeated James Allen by pinfall with a Flying Spinning Leg Lariat.

Winners: Team Canada in in 7:54

After the match, Road Warrior Animal comes out to the stage. He tells Storm and Awesome they can burn all the symbols they want but they can't burn the legacy he and Steiner have created in tag team wrestling. And when they go to war with them in 13 days, they won't be facing two incomplete parts. They'll be facing two warriors. He then introduces... Road Warrior Gremlin. Out comes Rick Steiner in face paint and the spiked pads to stand next to Animal and stare down their foes in the ring.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Jeff Jarrett. He says plans may not have gone perfectly last week thanks to the corrupt president of WCW but he's still defied all odds and forced Bischoff to give him the title shot he deserves. He then says Shane Douglas will right one wrong tonight when he takes out DDP and leaves Booker T all alone for Jarrett to take the title from.

Konnan comes out with havo by his side and calls out Billy Kidman. He re-iterates that what he did to Rey 2 weeks ago needed to be done to make him a man. And he spared Billy Kidman because he knows he has the sense to understand that. He wants Billy to join himself and Chavo to run roughshod over this company like it's tried to do to them and Rey. Konnan extends his hand as Kidman looks down with a tortured expression on his face and suddenly attacks, taking Konnan down and pounding away before Chavo intervenes and starts kicking Kidman. Konnan rolls out of the ring and gets a chair. He makes Chavo hold Kidman with his head on the mat as Konnan shakes his head, lifting the chair and preparing to slam it into Kidman's head before "Sugar" Shane Helms runs out, tackling Chavo and allowing Kidman to get up and send Konnan retreating. Konnan and Chavo back down the aisle as Konnan yells at Kidman that he made the wrong choice.

KroniK vs The Harris Brothers

In an extremely short match, KroniK defeated Harris Brothers when Bryan Clark defeated Don Harris by pinfall with a Power Bomb.

Winners: KroniK in 5:03

KroniK continues the attack before throwing The Harris Brothers from the ring and welcoming The Natural Born Thrillers to step in and fight them. Out come The Thrillers and they start to head down the ramp when suddenly they're attacked by Jindrak and Stasiak who proceed to pick up and drop both men directly on their ribs on the steel railing. As KroniK looks on and applauds, Tony Schiavonne and Jerry Lawler are left wondering if Jindrak and Stasiak simply picked their spot or if they're in cahoots with KroniK.

Back from break and Kanyon comes out. He gets on the mic and says he hasn't been able to talk to his mother lately and vows to cripple Mike Sanders once and for all so he can never do... whatever he did to her again. Sanders shows up on the screen and tells Kanyon says that he'll have his return match next week, 6 days before they face at The Great American Bash. And because he believes in the power of love, he's invited his girlfriend to come be at ringside for support. Kanyon just stands in the ring fuming at this news. Sanders finishes up by telling Kanyon he's not there tonight but he's got some friends there. Suddenly four guys stand up in the front row and hold up four signs that make up "Sanders banged your mom". Kanyon stares at them with anger before stepping outside, repeating "You think that's funny!?!?" He proceeds to grab one of the men and pull them over the barricade, punching and kicking him as the others try to stop it but get beaten down too before security is able to get there and pull Kanyon away, dragging him backstage as he screams like a lunatic.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Shane Douglas who hypes his upcoming match with DDP after calling for Eric Bischoff to be fired after his unprofessional "swerve" last week.

"The Franchise" Shane Douglas vs Diamond Dallas Page

Dustin Rhodes sits in a chair at ringside with the bullrope over his shoulders staring at Shane Douglas blankly the entire time. In a match that had some good action and heat, Douglas focuses on Page's leg, eventually using a figure four on him. Jeff Jarrett comes out and pulls Douglas' hands out of the ref's view during the hold. This prompts Booker T to come out and chase Jarrett away. Booker looks up at the ref and yells at him for not catching Jarrett. While Booker argues with the ref, Page rolls up Douglas but by the time the ref finally turns around, Douglas has kicked out. Page starts yelling at Booker and suddenly Jeff Jarrett returns, nailing Booker in the back of the head with a guitar shot while he argues with Page. That distraction allows Douglas to get the upper hand again. Out comes Dustin Rhodes, chasing Jarrett to the back, bullrope in hand. Shane Douglas watches the scene before turning around into a diamond cutter as Page gets the 1-2-3.

Winner: Diamond Dallas Page in 17:01

Page celebrates in the ring as Douglas rolls out and Booker T holds the back of his head outside, staring up at Page as the two lock eyes. We go backstage and see Jarrett looking around the backstage area. He grabs a crew member and frantically asks "Where did he go!? Did you see him!?" The guy just shrugs cluelessly before Jarrett throws him to the side. Jarrett slowly walks in front of a row of metal crates on high alert, looking all around him before we hear screeching tires and Jarrett jumps out of the way as a speeding car crashes right through the crates. Jarrett keeps running straight out of the arena as we fade to black.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW.com post-show news

Next Week on Nitro

Dustin Rhodes vs Jeff Jarrett

Mike Sanders returns to action with Kanyon's mother at ringside

Great American Bash card

WCW World Heavyweight Title Match: Booker T (c) vs Diamond Dallas Page vs Jeff Jarrett

WCW United States Title Texas Bullrope Match: Shane Douglas (c) vs Dustin Rhodes

Falls Count Anywhere: The Road Warriors (Gremlin and Animal) vs Team Canada

WCW World Tag Team Title Triple Threat Match: The Natural Born Thrillers (c) vs KroniK vs Jindrak and Stasiak

Kanyon vs Mike Sanders

Lex Luger vs Buff Bagwell

Konnan vs Billy Kidman

WCW Cruiserweight Title Match: "Sugar" Shane Helms (c) vs Chavo Guererro

Ratings

Nitro: .63 (Down from .65)
Raw: 5.40 (Down from 5.46)

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I’ve finally made it to Battleground…which is not at all a mostly thrown-together show to serve as a vehicle to build for my more interesting SummerSlam card. :shifty:

Also I remembered to activate Scott Keith’s commentary for star ratings purposes, so there’s that.

http://tvnewsroom.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/WWE-Battleground-2015.jpg

Pre-Show: The Miz vs. Jack Swagger
The Miz ran down Swagger on the mic, and when Swagger’s theme eventually hit, the crowd were greeted with a nice surprise as he was accompanied by the returning ZEB COLTER! He gives a spiel about how the American media gives way too much credence to loudmouthed movie stars like The Miz and wraps the whole thing up with a good ‘ol fashioned “WE. THE PEOPLE!”

Oh, right…the match. And like the Miz, it was AWESOME. Seriously, what the hell? A 93% match quality rating for a Miz/Jack Swagger pre-show match? I hope that’s a sign of things to come for this PPV, holy shit. Anyway, Swagger grabs the win with the Patriot Lock.
Winner: Jack Swagger
****, 93% Match Quality, 79% Crowd Reaction, 86% Overall Rating

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Big Show vs. Ryback (C)
In real life the thought of a second straight month of Show and Ryback would sound awful, but hey…they actually had a good showing at MITB. And this match is more of the same. Show overpowered Ryback through most of this build and said he could never be Shell Shocked again. Sure enough, after attempting it several times to no success, Ryback eventually got the big man up again. As he marched around the ring, he was met with a BROGUE KICK! Ryback collapses in a heap with Show falling on top of him for good measure. Ryback wins the match by DQ but hardly looks like a winner here as Sheamus plants him with the White Noise for good measure. It appears that somebody new is gunning for a title shot.
Winner (by DQ) and STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Ryback
***, 78% Match Quality, 84% Crowd Reaction, 82% Overall Rating

King Barrett vs. Neville
Barrett has been picking up some serious momentum over the past few weeks, and he challenged his foe Neville to another clash, having lost to him in 2 of the last 3 PPVs. Both guys are good workers, so a good match between them isn’t a surprise – but sorta like my pre-show match I wasn’t expecting it to be THIS good. My undercard is busting their ass on this show. Barrett takes a spinning kick to the gut, sells it. Neville climbs up top, leaps, but Barrett was playing possum. Bullhammer! Barrett gets the win over one of his top foes. All hail Barrett!
Winner: King Barrett
****1/4, 94% Match Quality, 79% Crowd Reaction, 86% Overall Rating

WWE Divas Championship: Nikki Bella vs. Paige (C)
Much like my IC Title match, I re-booked another MITB match because the rating was better than I expected. Also because I’m killing time until I can replenish the divas roster as they did in real life. Brie banned from ringside for this one after being a thorn in Paige’s side during the build-up (even though she was part of the reason Nikki lost last time). But it doesn’t matter here as Paige locks in the PTO for the successful title defense.
Winner and STILL WWE Divas Champion: Paige
**3/4, 74% Match Quality, 76% Crowd Reaction, 75% Overall Rating

Kane vs. Randy Orton
Orton continues to be a pain in the side of The Authority, so The Authority sends the Devil’s Favorite <s>Jobber</s> Demon Kane after him. Simple enough build. Anyway, they have a decent enough brawl between them and the crowd is into it but it really picked up near the end. Kane down, Orton pounding the mat getting ready for the RKO. But then the lights went out and the all too familiar sound effect played. Lights come back on and Orton, still on his hands and knees, comes face to face with BRAY WYATT in the upside down crab walk. Orton raises to his feet, looking confused. Kane spins him around with a Chokeslame. Corporate Kane actually wins! After the match is over, Wyatt hits Orton with Sister Abigail. What is the meaning of all of this???
Winner: Kane
***1/4, 79% Match Quality, 90% Crowd Reaction, 86% Overall Rating

Next up, Kevin Owens comes out and continues to talk shit about how he’s the one who put John Cena out of commission. He’s been running through the competition in his NXT Title Open Challenge week in and week out, and tonight will be no exception. And holy dogshit, SAMOA JOE answers the call!

NXT Championship: Samoa Joe vs. Kevin Owens (C)
This PPV is absolutely killing it, as we have our third amazing match of the evening here. Announcers play up both guys being familiar with each other with prior battles on NXT and elsewhere. Ref bump at one point, Joe down too. Owens says fuck it and grabs the title to use as a weapon. And then, go figure, John Cena’s feud hits as the kids in the audience lose their shit. Cena and Owens have a fistfight and Cena hits the AA before leaving having made his point. Joe and the ref come to. Match continues for a couple more minutes but it’s clear Owens has been taken off his game. Joe locks in the Coquina Clutch and Owens, being the tough bastard he is, doesn’t tap out. But he does pass out for the count of three as Joe is declared new NXT Champion! Incredible match, a IWC’s wet dream.
Winner and NEW NXT Champion: Samoa Joe
****1/2, Match Quality: 100%, Crowd Reaction: 79%, 89% Overall Rating

WWE Tag Team Championships: Tyson Kidd & Cesaro vs. The New Day (C)
Kidd & Cesaro never did get their proper rematch against The New Day, having last had a shot at the gold in the crowded Elimination Chamber. They had a really tough match to follow, but the guys involved here did a nice job to keep the crowd into it and put together a solid showing. The match degenerates as tag matches often times do. Woods gets involved illegally at ringside and in the midst of the chaos Kidd experiences some Trouble in Paradise as the New Day retain.
Winners and STILL WWE Tag Team Champions: The New Day
***1/4, 84% Match Quality, 80% Crowd Reaction, 82% Overall Rating

Time for the main event triple threat match, and before it happens we get a nicely put together compilation package. The match is said to be 2 and a half years in the making as it shows clips from The Shield’s WWE debut. Survivor Series debut right up to Reigns winning the belt off of Ambrose at MITB and the 3 of them brawling on Raw. Nice package to get the crowd a little extra amped up.
84% Overall Rating

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Roman Reigns (C)
Extremely fun main event, all three guys get their own individual moments to shine and of course in big WWE PPV main event fashion there was also a heaping helping of drama and near-falls. Since there is, by definition, no disqualification in a triple threat match, all three guys felt comfortable taking the fight outside for a while as well, including teasing a spot with the announce table that didn’t quite come to fruition.

As most expected, out came The Authority and just like at MITB and through the build, Seth Rollins wasn’t happy about this as he truly feels he can do it on his own. Triple H gets in the ring to direct traffic as Kane and J&J channel The Shield with a triple powerbomb to Ambrose through the announce table. Rollins gets in HHH’s face, screaming that he doesn’t need the help. HHH tells him to stand down, and Rollins shoves down HHH to a pop from the crowd. But it also becomes a “don’t look behind you moment”, as he turns right into a Spear from Reigns. Reigns gets the victory and retains the belt amidst all the chaos.
Winner and STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Roman Reigns
***1/2, 85% Match Quality, 91% Crowd Reaction, 89% Overall Rating

84% Overall Rating for Battleground
1.89 Buy Rate

Holy shit, what a great show considering my main focus is on SummerSlam. Not a single bad match in the bunch and I’ve set myself up nicely for the next month of storylines. Really happy with how this played out.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

Jesus, that is some mod you must have. lol

I like Barrett actually having momentum. Also, Wyatt vs Orton has been something I've been calling for for a while. Still hate Owens losing clean multiple times against Balor while feuding with Cena. The "refusing to tap out and passing out" option is a much better way to get the title off of him. Instantly sets up a potentially hot feud with Joe if/when you move him to the main roster too by leaving that doubt about who is the better man.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, I'm fine with Owens losing but I want to save that first legitimate "losing 1-2-3" moment for the right time.

I'm using the EW Battleground mod for May 2015, which is generally regarded as the best mod out there as they come out with a new one every month.

EWR is funny in that you'll get some surprises on who gels. Generally it's based on similar ratings...I knew Joe/Owens would be an awesome match for that reason. Paige/Nikki and Show/Ryback are not matches I ever would have run on my own but since I had to do them at MITB to stay true to the real card, and I was able to find that they have passable chemistry in the game.

I was absolutely floored with Swagger/Miz. Comparing their ratings none of them are stellar at any one thing (save Swagger having a higher than average technical side) but because their overall numbers are so similar apparently it makes them have the ability to really put together something good. Neville/Barrett was even more of a shocker. Neville's top rating is speed (93) but Barrett's is only 20. No idea how on earth the game decided they'd work well together. I saw something similar happen with a Harper/Rowan vs. Lucha Dragons match I had booked on television. I guess maybe brawl-heavy vs. speed-heavy works? I kinda like the randomness to it as it encourages me to go outside the box and book guys together that I normally wouldn't based on ratings.

Speaking of Barrett...yeah, I love the guy so I'm gonna push him. Sadly I'm not sure I really have anything for SummerSlam for him just because I've got a really packed card coming up, but he should get a lot more exposure once I formally split the rosters.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 3, August 2001)

It's the "go home" show to 15th annual Great American Bash. Jeff Jarrett is already in the ring as the show starts.

Jarrett calls out Eric Bischoff who makes his way out. He tells Bischoff what Rhodes did at the end of Nitro last week was attempted murder and he wants him banned from this company for life. Bischoff breaks into laughter as he responds. "What I saw was you having plenty of time to get away. I think whoever was behind that wanted to strike fear into you. And that's exactly what they did. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy." With that, Shane Douglas come out and repeats Jarrett's demands, wanting Dustin out of the company and the US Title match for the Bash cancelled. Bischoff says the first thing he needs to do is prove it was Dustin.

Dustin Rhodes comes out, standing down the aisle and denies being behind the wheel. He tells Jarrett "My dad made a lot of friends in the business. And you've made a lot of enemies. Now, I'm smart enough to get my revenge in the ring and not put my career in jeopardy. But it sounds to me like there's someone else who doesn't have as much to lose. I'll see you on Sunday, Shane Douglas. And I'll see you tonight, Jeff Jarrett. And until then... you just worry about who's lurking around every corner you walk by."

When we return from break, we see Kanyon's mom sitting in the front row as Mike Sanders is introduced for his match. He gives her a kiss before getting in the ring.

Mike Sanders vs Johnny The Bull

In his first match since returning from injury Mike Sanders defeated Johnny the Bull by pinfall with a 3.0.

Winner: Mike Sanders in 6:24

After the match, Sanders goes out to kiss Kanyon's mom again as she raises his hand. A younger kid in a hood next to her suddenly stand up and throws powder in Sanders' face! He takes the hood of. It's Kanyon. As his mom yells at him, he jumps the barricade and attacks Sanders before throwing him in the ring and grabbing a chair while yelling "I told you I'd finish you off for good!" He puts the chair around a blinded Sanders' ankle and steps out to climb the turnbuckle. His mom climbs in the ring and tries to take the chair off before just laying over Sanders' leg, protecting it. After Kanyon yells at her to move for a bit, he starts to climb the turnbuckle anyway just as referees and road agents come out to stop him. Schiavonne and Lawler curse Kanyon, questioning whether he was just about to hit his mother.

Lex Luger (w/ Torrie Wilson) vs Disqo

Lex Luger makes somewhat short work of Disqo in his first match since being freed from Midajah with Torrie in his corner. He makes Disqo submit to the torture rack.

Winner: Lex Luger in 4:28

After the match, Luger gets on the mic and tells us how it feels so good to be a free man and to have outsmarted his ex partner and manager with the help of the beautiful Torrie Wilson. Midajah comes out pulling Bagwell behind her by his hair. She tells Luger that he didn't outsmart her. He simply outsmarted Buff by taking advantage of a... weakness he has. But she'll make sure he is prepared to make Luger pay this Sunday and show him who the real star of her clientele always was. "Tonight, Buff will show the world what he can do when he beats Fit Finlay." Buff doesn't look pleased about the match that's been set up for him.

Billy Kidman and "Sugar" Shane Helms vs The Jung Dragons

Kidman and Helms defeated Jung Dragons in a competitive match when Billy Kidman defeated Yun Yang by pinfall with a Shooting Star Press.

Winners: Kidman and Helms in 11:02

Konnan and Chavo come out post-match. Konnan tells Kidman he made the wrong move. Helms has him brainwashed into thinking he's a friend to protect that title. But not only will Konnan show Kidman some tough love and beat sense into him on Sunday... but his true family, Chavo will make Helms pay by taking the Cruiserweight Title from him.

Gene Okerlund is in the ring and introduces Diamond Dallas Page. Page talks about the triple threat this Sunday and his issues with Booker T, whom he calls out. Booker and Page exchange words over the issue of Page accusing Booker of being afraid to face Page alone last week. Page says he's thought about it and while he stands by what he said. He shows the clip of Booker kicking Page and costing them the match two weeks ago. Booker tells Page he doesn't have any doubts he can beat Page and in fact, he might just take Jarrett out of the equation so he can pin Page and prove his point. Page welcomes it and tells Booker he plans on leaving no doubt by pinning Booker for the title. The two men shake hands while staring each other down to end the segment.

The Road Warriors vs Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo

Animal and Steiner (in Road Warrior makeup and spikes under his "Road Warrior Gremlin" name) fight as The Road Warriors for the first time. In a quick match, Skipper and Romeo get disqualified after Skipper, while retreating to the outside and begging off, takes a pair of handcuffs out of his tights and suddenly cuffs Gremlin to the ring post. As Animal comes out for the save, Lance Storm and Mike Awesome attack.

Winners by DQ: The Road Warriors in 1:59

Awesome, Storm, Skipper and Romeo beat down Animal in the ring as Gremlin watches on helpless. Storm shakes Skipper and Romeo's hand, thanking them for the help. Storm goes out to get a table and sets it up in the ring as Awesome goes to the top and Storm picks up Animal to put him in position for an Awesome bomb from the top through the table. Suddenly Gremlin is able to summon the strength to snap the chain of the cuffs and break free! He gets in the ring and makes a b line for Storm and Awesome but they drop Animal and run from the ring. This leaves Skipper and Romeo to get destroyed by both Road Warriors and both men end up getting slammed through a table as Awesome and Storm look on.

The Natural Born Thrillers make their way out and to the announce table where they'll be for the following match.

KroniK, Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak vs America's Most Wanted, Norman Smiley and Kwee Wee

The Thrillers discuss the rumors after last week that KroniK and Stacy's team have formed a union to take out NBT and then fight for the titles themselves. Those rumors gain more credibility after the teams work together to destroy their opponents with KroniK hitting a double chokeslam on Smiley to finish them off.

Winners: KroniK, Shawn Stasiak and Mark Jindrak in 4:03

All four men stand together and look down on the Thrillers, having sent a clear message. The Thrillers acknowledge what this means but make it clear they have every intention of overcoming the odds.

As we come back for our next match, Fit Finlay is making his entrance but is attacked from behind by Buff Bagwell. Bagwell uses the barricade as a weapon to choke Finlay, tosses him head first into the ring post and simply lays waste to him while Midajah coaches him on before Luger can run out to make the save and chase him off.

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Dustin Rhodes where he asks him about his upcoming match with Jeff Jarrett and his US Title Texas Bullrope match with Shane Douglas in 6 days. Rhodes says he's been talking to his dad every day throughout his recovery and he knows he's gonna make him proud on Sunday when he takes the US title from Shane Douglas. But tonight isn't about a title. Tonight is about revenge. He holds the blood-stained bullrope up for the camera to see and tells us his goal tonight is to have Jarrett's blood on his hands.

Jeff Jarrett vs Dustin Rhodes

Before the match starts, a car similar to the one from last week backs into the arena and stops next to the stage. After a staredown from across the ring, the ref rings the bell. Dustin runs for Jarrett and Jarrett jumps out of the ring, doing everything he can to escape the rage Dustin has had bottled up for weeks now. He tries to run down the aisle only for DDP to come out and stop him. He turns back and Dustin is there to meet him with right hands. Jarrett gets thrown back into the ring and Dustin unloads an offensive flurry as Jarrett seems content to just try to find a way to escape as opposed to fighting back. Eventually, Dustin gets the bullrope and, ignoring the referee, chokes Jarrett with it until the ref has to call for the bell.

Winner by DQ: Jeff Jarrett in 6:18

Shane Douglas makes his way out from the crowd with a steel pipe and goes to hit Dustin with it but Dustin sees him and grabs it just as he swings, pulling it away from him. Douglas looks on frozen for a second before he ducks out of the ring as the distraction allows Jarrett to stumble away as well. Both men back down the aisle, having forgotten what's waiting for them at the top of the ramp. Jarrett suddenly pushes Douglas into Page and tries to run past him only for Rhodes to catch him. Douglas escapes Page and runs through the crowd, watching the scene from afar as Jarrett tries to beg off Dustin before being thrown off the stage and through the back window of the car! The car slowly pulls forward, allowing Jarrett to slide off in a motionless heap and drives away. Rhodes looks down at the scene with a smile and then looks over to Shane Douglas, pointing to him and giving the throat slash gesture as he clutches his US Title. Jerry Lawler and Tony Schiavonne wonder out loud who car and if Jarrett will even make it to the Bash this Sunday now as the show goes off the air.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

Show Rating: 50 (Lost popularity in 10 regions. Not enough interesting storylines going on. The lack of starpower is hurting but I've got a lot of guys who have been gaining popularity steadily over the past two months so the future looks promising.)

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW.com post-show news

Great American Bash card

WCW World Heavyweight Title Match: Booker T (c) vs Diamond Dallas Page vs Jeff Jarrett

WCW United States Title Texas Bullrope Match: Shane Douglas (c) vs Dustin Rhodes

WCW World Tag Team Title Triple Threat Match: The Natural Born Thrillers (c) vs KroniK vs Jindrak and Stasiak

WCW Cruiserweight Title Match: "Sugar" Shane Helms (c) vs Chavo Guererro

Falls Count Anywhere: The Road Warriors (Gremlin and Animal) vs Team Canada

Kanyon vs Mike Sanders

Lex Luger vs Buff Bagwell

Konnan vs Billy Kidman

Ratings

Nitro: .65 (Up from .63)
Raw: 5.45 (Up from 5.40)

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I like Midajah of all people having an actual character in this instead of her real life role which pretty much amounted to "LOOK AT MY BOOBS".</font>

[RP]

Are any of these sims free? Where can I find them?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>EWR is free, not sure about TEW.

The latest EWR can be downloaded here: http://www.ewwarehouse.info/mod-index/ew-mod-index/

Game was created way back in 2003, so you'll need to download a new data pack. I usually get them off of www.ewbattleground.com as there's a new one uploaded each month.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

TEW2005 is free now.

[#1-norm-fan]

<font color=goldenrod>I like Midajah of all people having an actual character in this instead of her real life role which pretty much amounted to "LOOK AT MY BOOBS".</font>

"Look at my boobs" is the only reason I can actually get by with having her speak since that gets factored into her entertainment rating. lol

She's necessary in the story I'm trying to create though and she's not killing segments so it's cool.

[#1-norm-fan]

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130625202553/logopedia/images/d/d2/WCW-Great-American-Bash-1999-2000-PPV-Logo-world-championship-wrestling-28038814-212-170.jpg

WCW Great American Bash (Sunday August 26th, 2001)

The show starts with a 2 minute hype video focusing on the battles for the World and US Titles.

WCW World Tag Team Title Match: KroniK vs Mark Jindrak and Shawn Stasiak vs The Natural Born Thrillers

In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, KroniK and Jindrak and Stasiak's coalition breaks down when Stasiak tries to roll up Clark for a surprise win but only gets 2. This leads to The Thrillers eventually taking advantage of the situation and Palumbo pinning Stasiak for the 3.

Winners and still WCW World Tag Team Champions: The Natural Born Thrillers in 14:48

Gene Okerlund is backstage with Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett's rubs are taped up and he speculates on a conspiracy to keep him out of tonight's match. He says he'll be out there though and calls his future World Title victory the most heroic win in wrestling history.

Kanyon vs Mike Sanders

Sanders makes his entrance with Kanyon's mom by his side which infuriates Kanyon. Before the match begins, Sanders gets the crowd to start a "Kanyon's daddy" chant which only makes it worse.

In a match that had an average crowd reaction and some decent in-ring action, after some good back and forth action, Kanyon takes complete control leading Lawler and Schiavonne to wonder if Sanders was really completely healed. As the ref checks on Sanders on one side of the ring, Kanyon goes to the other to taunt his mother. As she gets on the apron, he yells at her to get down before getting slapped. Kanyon looks on in shock as his lip quivers. He turns around as Sanders gets up and hits a 3.0 for the 3 count.

Winner: Mike Sanders in 10:25

Shane Helms and Billy Kidman are interviewed backstage. Kidman tells Konnan he's dedicating their match tonight to Rey.

WCW Cruiserweight Title Match: Shane Helms vs Chavo Guererro

In a match that had some good action but not much in the way of heat, Helms and Guererro go back and forth in a high-paced affair. The match ends with Guererro locking in an STF but Helms refusing to tap. After a good minute in the hold, the bell rings. Chavo gets up to celebrate as the ref talks to the time keeper and we get the official announcement. The 20 minute time limit has expired.

Winner: Time Limit Draw in 20:00

Guererro grabs the Cruiserweight title as the ref goes to give it to Helms and blasts Helms in the face with it, knocking him out cold before dropping the title and leaving the ring.

Midajah is backstage being interviewed with Buff Bagwell. She warns Luger his plan is going to fall apart tonight when he gets the match he's wanted for so long... and fails.

Buff Bagwell vs Lex Luger

In a match that had some good action and average heat, Bagwell gets the upperhand momentarily but is unable to get a pin after a blockbuster. He goed outside, gets a steel chair and delivers a piledriver on Luger onto it as the ref calls for the bell.

Winner by DQ: Lex Luger in 9:38

Bagwell continues the attack with another couple piledrivers onto the chair. Torrie gets in the ring to protect him only to get attacked by Midajah, leaving her down as well. Midajah raises Bagwells hand as they stand over their foes.

World Champion Booker T is interviewed backstage. Okerlund questions where Booker was when DDP helped Dustin Rhodes on Nitro and why he wasn't there to do the same. Booker takes offense to Gene stirring the pot before telling him he's focused on tonight.

Falls Count Anywhere: The Road Warriors vs Team Canada

In a match that had some good action and average heat, the four men work their way back into the dressing room and out to the back of the arena. Storm ends up being press slamed into a dumpster as The Warriors double team Mike Awesome. Awesome is able to power out of the double team and powerbomb Steiner into the same dumpster Storm was in before Animal comes back on the attack. As the two of them fight, the ref heads over to the dumpster and counts the 1-2-3. The camera runs over to show Storm with his arm over Steiner. Awesome and Animal keep brawling until officials separate them.

Winners: Team Canada in 13:40

Shane Douglas is interviewed backstage and tells Dustin Rhodes he's not scared one bit after what Rhodes did on Nitro because after tonight, he'll be sharing a hospital bed with his daddy.

We get a video recapping the events leading up to Douglas-Rhodes.

WCW United States Title Texas Bullrope Match: Dustin Rhodes vs Shane Douglas

Rhodes makes his entrance and stops to wave someone out. A bandaged up Dusty Rhodes steps out to be in his corner and Douglas yells at the ref in protest.

In a match that had some good action and average heat, Douglas and Rhodes battle back and forth in a violent, stiff encoounter. The match ends with Douglas trying to stop Rhodes from hitting the 4th corner but missing a clothesline. Rhodes uses the rope to pull Douglas in for a lariat of his own but Douglas ducks and Rhodes lets his momentum take him into the 4th corner behind Douglas and win the match!

Winner and NEW WCW United States Champion: Dustin Rhodes

Douglas flips out and goes on the attack after the bell rings. He takes the bullrope off his wrist and chokes Dustin with it until Dusty comes in and hits a series of elbows to send him out of the ring. Dusty and Dustin hug and celebrate with the US Title.

Konnan is interviewed backstage where he counters Kidman's dedication earlier by dedicating the match to Rey himself. He says he still has hope that Rey understands why he had to do what he did and that Kidman will be understanding after the tough love he shows him tonight.

Konnan vs Billy Kidman

In a match that had some good action and average heat, Konnan works on Kidman's back for most of the match. Eventually, Kidman gets the advntage and goes to the top for a shooting star press but jumps off, nursing his back. Konnan immediately gets up, takes Kidman down and locks in Tequila Sunrise. Kidman is showing serious pain and has to tap out.

Winner: Konnan in 14:06

Konnan give a few parting kicks to Kidman's injured back before kneeling down and looking down with a look of sadness before walking out as officials check on Kidman.

Diamond Dallas Page is interviewed backstage where he stands by his promise to take Jarrett out and take the title from Booker himself.

A video recaps the lead up to the upcoming championship match.

In a bout that featured great action and a good crowd, Page takes a big bump outside when Jarrett throws Booker into the ropes and knocks Page off the apron and through the announce table. This distraction allows Jarrett to clip Booker's knee and lock in the figure four. Booker is able to withstand the figure four for a good 2-3 minutes before Page starts to stir and climbs into the ring to break it up. Jarrett turns his attention to a hurt Page as Booker lays in the corner, grabbing his knee. Jarrett pounds away on Page before climbing to the top. Page slowly gets up and then with a sudden burst, pulls Jarrett off the top rope with a diamond cutter out of nowhere! Page slowly gets up and looks down at a motionless Jarrett and then turns to Booker who is still nursing his knee on the ground. Page gives the crowd the signal and stumbles over to pick up Booker but gets rolled up for the 1-2-3!

Winner and still WCW World Heavyweight Champion: Booker T in 24:40

Page puts his head in his hands distraught. He looks at Booker shaking his head as Booker sits staring back in the corner. Booker stands and extends his hand... but Page just walks out. Booker watches as Page walks down the aisle and Jarrett gets up to attack, clipping Booker's knee again and starts stomping. Page turns and stares but doesn't budge. Eventually as the crowd's reaction picks up, Page does the right thing, rushing to the ring to run off Jarrett, take the title and after a short hesitation, hand it to Booker. He raises Booker's hand in victory as the show ends.

________________________________________

Show rating: 59 (Gained popularity in 8 regions, lost popularity in 2 regions)

Match of the night: Booker T vs Jeff Jarrett vs Diamond Dallas Page

Buyrate: .08

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Good show there. I find myself being interested in some characters I didn't really care about in WCW. Dustin Rhodes was bland and boring as all hell in WCW but here he actually comes across as badass especially with his story being a believable one.

Konnan is quickly becoming one of the best heels in the company, which is cool to think about since he got stuck in such a boring routine in WCW where he'd just do the same speech to pop the crowd every week while doing nothing new or interesting. He was like the Road Dogg of WCW.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

The irony of what you just said is pretty crazy considering what I've been planning for the next Nitro.

[#1-norm-fan]

WCW Nitro (Week 4, August 2001)

One night removed from The Great American Bash, Tony Schiavonne and Jerry Lawler welcome us to what should be an eventful Nitro.

We start with Jeff Jarrett coming out to complain about the outcome of last night's match. "Even with the world against me and cracked ribs, I still should be champion right now..." He's cut off by the cameras catching the same car that has been after him for two weeks pulling up backstage, cracked back window and all. Jarrett yells "We're not going through this again. If you wanna screw with me, get the hell out here and do it face to face, whoever you are!" With that, the door opens... we get a bit of a dramatic pause and out steps... "The Road Dogg" Jesse James!

The crowd pops huge as he starts walking. Jarrett is losing his shit in the ring as he finally comes through the entrance and makes his way to the arena. Eric Bischoff is quick to follow along with security before he's able to get in the ring. Bischoff does however let him have a mic. He does a little crowd pandering. "The outlaw has arrived in WCW!" He eventually turns his attention to Jarrett, reminding him of their sordid history before telling him of the respect he has for Dusty Rhodes. How it shows when he's in the ring just how much he idolized The Dream. And after watching his old buddy Jeff's actions over the past couple months, he decided it was time to come say hi."

Jarrett speculates that Jesse James idolizes Dusty because they're both out of shape disappointments. He says after the last two weeks, he wants him not just banned from WCW... but arrested. Bischoff gets on the mic and tells Jarrett "As deplorable as you are as a human being... you're right in this instance." He turns to Jesse James. "I'm gonna have to ask security to see you out." The crowd does not approve but security does its job and Jesse taunts Jarrett as he's escorted back to his car and told to leave the building.

With that, Jarrett calls Bischoff in the ring and congratulates him on making a good call. He tells him to make another one. If it wasn't for DDP, he would have made Booker T tap out last night and taken the WCW title. So how about making a one-on-one match so he can conclude his heroic "Cinderella story" the right way. Shane Douglas now comes to the ring and interrupts, telling Bischoff how unfair it was to put him in a Texas Bullrope match with a Rhodes boy, citing favoritism. He wants a rematch, too. Jarrett cuts Douglas off, reminding him of how he left him hanging last week and he's partly responsible for the cracked ribs he's suffering from. The two get into a shouting match before Bischoff cuts them off.

He makes two announcements. The first: In just 6 weeks time, on Sunday, October 14th WCW will return to PPV. And it will be the return... of War Games! 60 men. One match. The winner will earn a shot at the WCW World Heavyweight Title at the 19th annual Starrcade PPV on December 16th. And the second announcement is that Booker T has suffered a slight fracture in his ankle that will put him on the shelf for a few weeks. If Jeff Jarrett wants a title match at that time, he'll have to wins his match tonight. And if Shane Douglas wants his rematch against Dustin Rhodes for the US Title, he'll have to win HIS match tonight. And their opponents... will be each other. Jarrett and Douglas look at each other with determination as we go to break.

Jindrak and Stasiak (w/ Stacy Keibler) vs KroniK

In a bout that had solid in-ring action and average heat, Jindrak gets knocked off the apron and Stacy runs over to check on him. Stasiak finds himself distracted by this scene and it's enough for KroniK to pull him in for a "total meltdown" and get the pin.

Winners: KroniK in 11:34

After the match, Stacy continues to check on Jindrak outside while Stasiak is out cold in the ring.

Lance Storm and Mike Awesome make their way out. Storm hypes Awesome's performance from last night reminding everyone how after Storm was taken out, he survived two tag team legends by himself. He says if there's anyone who should be calling themselves an animal, it's the beast standing next to him. He issues an open challenge on behalf of Awesome and out comes... a returning "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan!

Mike Awesome vs "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

After the surprise wears off, reality sets in. Awesome makes relatively short work of Duggan and finishes him off with an awesome bomb and a foot on the chest for the pin.

Winner: Mike Awesome in 2:51

Backstage, Gene Okerlund is with "Sugar" Shane Helms. Helms wishes Kidman a speedy recovery and tells Chavo he's not satisfied retaining his title on a draw and he'll do it again any time, any place. He also says that after he's done with him, he wants Konnan.

"Sugar" Shane Helms vs Elix Skipper

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Shane Helms defeated Elix Skipper by pinfall with a Vertebreaker.

Winner: "Sugar" Shane Helms in 6:45

After the match, Chavo comes out and attacks Helms from behind and Konnan follows. Chavo grapevines Helms' leg and puts him in an ankle lock as Konnan gets a mic, gets on his hands and knees, and gets face-to-face with Helms. "The only reason we aren't finishing your career right now like we did to Rey and Billy... is because we wanna make you suffer more. This was all your fault. Next week, you're gonna be nice and healthy so you can defend that Cruiserweight title against Chavo. After that... it's you and me. And that's when I make you pay for taking my family away from me." He drops the mic, tells Chavo to break the hold and walks out as Helms looks down the aisle seething.

America's Most Wanted vs The Jung Dragons

In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, America's Most Wanted defeated Jung Dragons when James Allen defeated Kaz Hayashi by pinfall with an 8-Second Ride.

Winners: America's Most Wanted in 7:46

As AMW celebrate their victory, out of nowhere, Buff Bagwell comes out and attacks them both from behind with Midajah behind him directing the attack. He eventually throws them out of the ring and Midajah gets on the mic. She says that last night, she made Lex Luger and Torrie Wilson regret ever thinking they could get one up on her. "But I have to thank Torrie. She exposed a weakness in Buff. A weakness... that will never be exposed again, isn't that right?" Buff shakes his head in agreement. She then explains how The Jung Dragons are a team that have been lost since Kimona's firing. And she sees that as an opportunity for her to show the world what kind of power she wields. She vows to make them champions if they join herself and Buff. They shake her hand and she raises their hand as Buff stands next to them looking... buff.

Johnny Swinger is out for the next match but Kanyon attacks, laying him and continuing the attack until Mike Sanders runs out to chase him off. Kanyon gets on the mic. He says if Sanders' mission was to make him snap, he's done it. He wants to confront Sanders and his mother in the ring next week and he plans to end this rivalry one way or another.

Booker T makes his way out on a crutch, nursing his injured ankle. He'll be on commentary for the main event.

Jeff Jarrett vs Shane Douglas

In a match that had some good action and average heat, Jarrett decides to take some time out of the match to taunt Booker at ringside. As he does this, there's a commotion in the crowd. The camera pans to see "Road Dogg" Jesse James coming through the crowd, holding a ticket in his hand. He comes all the way to the front row and smiles at Jarrett who yells at him while he stands calmly. The referee's count gets to 9 and James points to the ring as Jarrett turns just in time to hear the "10"!

Winner by countout: Shane Douglas in 13:30

Just then, Jesse James jumps the railing and attacks Jarrett for only a couple seconds before security swarms and pulls him away. Jarrett takes the opportunity to get in a few cheap shots as he's taken from the arena. An irate Jarrett walks around the ring and suddenly attacks an injured Booker T as he sits next to Lawler. Jarrett throws Booker in the ring and proceeds to stomp on his injured ankle. As Douglas comes to, he and Jarrett stare each other down before Douglas joins in on the attack! Jarrett goes out to get a chair and as he does, out comes Dustin Rhodes who gets cut off by Shane Douglas and the two brawl to the outside and continue trading punches all the way to the backstage area. This leaves Jarrett with Booker and a group of officials trying to stop him. He steps on the ankle and lifts the chair before Diamond Dallas Page runs out for the, save chasing Jarrett out of the ring.

Page stands in the ring for a second, looking down at Booker and grabs a mic. He takes the chair and sits down in front of a fallen Booker T who is unable to stand. "We had a little talk a few weeks ago about who the real people's champ is, Book. It was all in good fun. But we know I started using that name for a reason. Me and these people have a connection. Just like they do with you now. Last night, I decided proving a point was more important than winning that World title. And it cost me. Normally I'd have their support in a situation like that. Instead... I heard mostly cheers at my misfortune. So I guess it's time to admit. You're the people's champ, Booker." Page stands up and folds the chair he was sitting in back up. "You're the people's champ... Let the people save your ass from now on." Page rolls out of the ring and hands the chair to a confused looking Jeff Jarrett as he walks down the aisle, never looking back. Jarrett gets back in the ring and attacks a fallen Booker again before driving the chair multiple times into his ankle, leaving him laying there being attended to by referees and backstage officials as the show ends.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Show rating: 51 (Lost popularity in 10 regions)

[#1-norm-fan]

Post Show News

Next Week on Nitro
WCW Cruiserweight Title Match: "Sugar" Shane Helms vs Chavo Guererro

World War 3 Card
World War 3 60 Man Battle Royal for the opportunity to challenge for the WCW World Heavyweight Title at Starrcade.

Ratings
Nitro: .63 (Down from .65)
Raw: 5.29 (Down from 5.45)

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Hah, pretty hilarious seeing Road Dogg show up after my comments. Makes sense to bring him in really, seems exactly like the type of person WCW would have brought in had they continued on into the summer of 2001.

Really like the twist with DDP. I figure something had to give between them and one of them would have needed to turn in order to keep the feud going past one show.

WORLD WAR 3 :love: I've always been a battle royal mark so I loved World War 3 despite it being completely impossible to tell what is going on.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

Yeah. That Road Dogg comment was pretty crazy. Signed him like a week before you randomly brought him up. As for DDP, I wanted to do a more "cerebral" turn as opposed to just having him attack. Seems like there's more emotion involved in just having him abandon him like that.

Also looking forward to booking a 60 man battle royal and the build to it more than I probably should be. lol

[#1-norm-fan]

When you take over a company, it takes a while to build up stars and get the company to look like you want it to. I'm thinking it's gonna take about 2 years game time. Makes it tough to stick with.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yep, I could never have the patience for TEW. I've booked what I thought were great shows on there only for it to go over like a fart in church.

At least in EWR it's fairly easy to elevate guys, especially with the feuds feature. Although running 3 shows I can't really do any "Major" feuds as they lose steam if not mentioned enough. Minor feuds work well, though.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I still have quite a bit of TV to book before I get there but, assuming no injuries or suspensions pop up here's what I've got mapped out for SummerSlam:

Triple H vs. Rollins (if Rollins wins, The Authority is out of power for good)
This isn't the main event but it was the focal part of the Raw right after Battleground. 2 PPVs in a row Rollins had a great showing and was insistent he could win on his own only for Triple H to insist on Authority involvement. Triple H finally had Rollins kicked out of the now dwindling group and Rollins' face turn was now complete. A match is set and after a few weeks Vince resurfaces to tell Triple H that his leadership of Raw and SD is on the line. BUT FOR REALSIES THIS TIME! No take-backs like Survivor Series. Obviously this is the angle I'm using to justify bringing back the brand split soon.

Kane vs. Ambrose (if Ambrose wins, Kane is fired as Director of Operations)
Sort of an extension of the other match. But Kane is looking somewhat relevant after his win over Orton and Ambrose still has issues with The Authority. Pretty much just sticking these guys together because it should be a good brawl and another nice way to wrap up The Authority angle for good. I envisioned Rollins and Ambrose being unwittingly forced to team up a few times in the build (yes WWE, you can actually have two faces team up and play off that they hate each other rather than them automatically forgiving each other for a year's long blood feud).

World Heavyweight Title: Reigns vs. Lesnar
The real main event. Reigns, as mentioned, is a badass heel now. Bragged about defeating his two face former Shield brothers and got heat for it. Says he can take on all comers. Cue the reinstatement of Lesnar, still owed a rematch for the World Title since WM...and a huge locker room emptying brawl ensued. I'm normally against the idea of a WM main event being immediately rehashed at SummerSlam, but it makes sense here and has a different dynamic with heel Reigns.

US Title: Cena vs. Owens
The logical conclusion to their feud, which to this point has seen Owens win twice (once by countout) and put Cena out of commission for a while. Cena made his return at the last PPV and played a part in Owens dropping the NXT Title. This rivalry got personal with Owens reminding the fans that he had supposedly ended Cena's career every week, and now things will come to a head with the US Title on the line.

Wyatt vs. Orton
Too lazy to do any detailed writeups but this one was basically confirmed based on what happened at Battleground. Wyatt just being a creep as usual in the build. Would love to see this feud in real life.

IC Title: Ryback vs. Sheamus
Another obvious match based on what happened at Battleground.

Ziggler vs. Rusev
One of the few feuds I'm shamelessly borrowing from real life.

Tag Titles: New Day issue an Open Challenge
I'm probably overdoing it with Open Challenges but whatever, I already have the team planned out and I think it'd be a cool moment if what I have planned were to happen in real life.

Divas Title: Paige vs. Nikki vs. Brie
Likely the pre-show match. Just total filler and unimaginative booking on my part, admittedly. Can't wait to call up some gals from NXT once I have the draft and more structure to my shows.

Felt bad not having room for Barrett on the show at the moment given I'm trying to push him, but he'll be fine.</font>

[#1-norm-fan]

<font color=goldenrod>Yep, I could never have the patience for TEW. I've booked what I thought were great shows on there only for it to go over like a fart in church.

At least in EWR it's fairly easy to elevate guys, especially with the feuds feature. Although running 3 shows I can't really do any "Major" feuds as they lose steam if not mentioned enough. Minor feuds work well, though.</font>

I think that's what I like though. It's more realistic. Kinda hated how you could get Doink the Clown as over as The Rock in a few months with EWR. Most od the guys are stagnant in my current game which is realistic for a company that's recovering from the brink of bankruptcy and at an all-time low in popularity. Dustin Rhodes and Shane Douglas have both gone up about 4 points in popularity in the past few months and I'm more than happy with that.

[#1-norm-fan]

Your SummerSlam card I'm pretty sure is gonna be miles better than what they end up going with, by the way. I'd have no problem with Reigns vs Lesnar happening again with the new dynamic. It's not like it's the same tired, worn-out "rematch for the sake of having a rematch" thing they usually do. It fits in with the story.

[cornette face]

Anyone here interested in doing an EWR split game? It's where we each take a brand and draft our own rosters and play the same set of data, sending it to the other person once you've booked your show.

[#1-norm-fan]

So TEW 2016 has been announced. Just looked through the new features and one of them is an actual auto-book ingoption ala EWR. I know the time consuming booking is one of the main gripes about TEW.

[cnoslim]

TEW 2016 is gonna be nuts with the new features, many hours spent into these games myself.....can't wait for the release.

Here is the journal featuring all of the new additions to the game

http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=532912

[Evil Vito]

LONG LIVE THE WRESTLING SIM TOPIC!

[Evil Vito]

lol the second to last post in here over 3 years ago was a breakdown of TEW 2016...….and now here's TEW 2020

http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=542407

I don't expect this to lead to any active discussion since so few people sim here any more, but holy shit this game sounds immersive

[#1-norm-fan]

I actually just played 2016 a few weeks ago. Not sure about 2020. Nothing I read in the developers journal really put it over the top for me.

[Evil Vito]

I don't think I ever tried 2016 as I remember feeling overwhelmed with TEW when it first came out.

But I'd be down to try this. Much as I love EWR, I do get bored fast in part because of the limitations.

Of course this contradicts things I said on this very page (albeit from 4 years ago and now I'm jonesing to final dive back in, lol)

[Evil Vito]

Sad I only booked my 2015 game for about two months before I once again forgot about it, funny how I brought up bringing back the roster split a year before it actually happened.

Also booking all three members of the Shield to hold the title on the same night at MITB in 2015 and that also happened a year later at MITB, just with the roles switched.

[Evil Vito]

No joke, I just did WrestleMania 56 last night. :o

https://i.imgur.com/C2V7vwb.jpg

Business is good....








...man this pandemic needs to end. :(


#BringItBack

[M-A-G]

I might get around to posting my roster later if I remember. It's safe to say a lot has happened in the last few years. Plus I just barely learned how to get people to become managers. :mad:

[Evil Vito]

Haha, just realizing it's been over 5 years since I've run a game I was posting here. I change my mind so rapidly.

Shame too as I really think some of the ideas would've been great to keep up with, like running NXT in 2002 with that loaded development class.

[M-A-G]

With me not watching any wrestling for almost five years straight and being so far into the future that anything in the present doesn't exist in my universe, it's nice to have a game essentially untainted by anything WWE.

[M-A-G]

In a move that is certain proof that this pandemic is sucking all of the joy out of my life, here is my current roster and their status as of WrestleMania 56 in March of 2040. First a summary of the most recent events. Starting in August of the previous year, the roster was split three ways amongst the shows, each with their own authority figure with the goal of producing the best show culminating in a 4-on-4 match at WrestleMania between the two top shows to determine who remains in charge. Darren Caine, who was in charge of Raw, lost out and was fired, thus leaving Vanessa (Superstars) and Lisa Benton (SmackDown!) to battle it out via proxy. Benton's team won. There will be more details in the roster list. Speaking of which:

Aaron Ramsey: Heel manager. Until about a month ago he was still a cruiserweight competitor but getting up there in years. Charismatic though so I decided to make the move to get him to be the mouthpiece for some of the stiffs.

Adrian Gallagher: Face. One half of the team The British Infection. Managed by Fantasee

Aphrodite: Face manager. Just like Aaron Ramsey, getting up there in years but great on the mic so I turned her.

Arianna: Heel. One of the top heel female stars I have.

Azazel: Monster heel, not even four months in. Coming off a loss for his team at WrestleMania, managed by Vivian Merrick

Beckie Demira: Face. I haven't had her do anything of note. On the post-WM chopping block

Ben Dillinger: Face. One half of the top face tag team, the Dillingers. Coming off an unsuccessful challenge to the tag team titles at WrestleMania. 4-time tag team champion

Billie Padgett: Female monster heel. Former leader of the Brooklyn Sisterhood stable. Getting up there in years but I think I've got a feud for her. Multiple time Women's champion

Blaine Bellamey: Face. One half of the pretty boy tag team, the Wyldhearts. Coming off a loss in an 8-man tag at WrestleMania. Feuding with The Agents of Change.

Bobbi Jo: Female heel lackey to Hannah McCormick,

Bobby Whitlock: Face. One half of the Can-Am Connection. 2-time tag team champion. Coming off a win in a 6-man tag at WM. On the post-WM chopping block.

Bonnie Beckham: Heel. Haven't really done anything of note with her. On the post-WM chopping block.

Brandon Reigns: Face. One the rise, recent Money in the Bank winner at WM. 3-time Intercontinental Champion. Starting an angle involving being mentored by another veteran I'll be phasing out of active competition.

Brody Lee: Heel. One half of the Southern Gentleman.

Brooke: Heel manager. Same story as Aphrodite.

Butch Fleming: Top heel in the company. Currently serving a one year suspension for an anti-BLM tweet ( :shifty: ). 3-time Unified World champion. Former leader of the City Slickers stable. Back-to-back King of the Ring winner.

C.J.: Heel. Another one of my top female stars.

Caleb Greene: Face. One half of Mean & Greene. Former cruiserweight champion and tag team champion. Managed by Aphrodite.

Cameron Harper: Face. Blue chipper rookie.

Carl Deveroux: Face. One half of the Ragin' Cajuns. On the post-WM chopping block

Carmella Costello: Heel. Still working through the ranks. Managed by Brooke.

Chet Morris: Heel. Former one half of the Morris cousins. Coming off a loss in a 6-man tag at WM. Multiple time tag team champion.

Chris Carville: Face. One half of MC Enterprises. On the post-WM chopping block.

Chris Collins: Heel. Second generation star. Multiple time Unified World and tag team champion. Coming off a loss in an 8-person tag match at WM.

Clayton North: Heel. One half of the Agents of Change. Coming off a win in an 8-man tag at WM. Feuding with the Wyldhearts.

Clubber Harris: Heel. 4-time Unified World champion, 3-time Intercontinental champion. Unsuccessful bid to win Money in the Bank at WM.

Conner Buchanan: Face. Other half of the Can-Am connection. 2-time tag team champion, 2-time Intercontinental champion. Coming off a win in a 6-man tag at WM. Managed by Paul Andrews.

Cordelia: Heel. Nothing of note.

Corey Mattis: Heel. Other half of the Agents of Change

Daniel St. Croix: Face. Other half of the Ragin' Cajuns. On the post-WM chopping block.

DJ Stokes: Face. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note. On the post-WM chopping block.

Doug Michaels: Heel. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.

Doyle Hughes: Heel. One half of the Wolves of Wall Street.

Drakken: Face. One half of the Wasteland.

Duke: Face. Other half of the Wasteland

Eclypse: Heel. Weirdo monster chick. 3-time Women's champion

Eddy Malone: Face. Other half of MC Enterprises. On the post-WM chopping block.

Emilio London: Heel. Other half of the Wolves of Wall Street.

Emma Edwards: Heel. Another monster chick. Former member of the Brooklyn Sisterhood. On the post-WM chopping block

Faith Connors: Face. Yeah, I stole the name. Who cares? :mad: She's the number one face in the women's division although not the champion at this time. Got the win for her team in the 8-person tag for control of the company. First Queen of the Ring winner, 5-time Women's champion. Went undefeated her first year.

Fantasee: Face manager.

Frankie: Face. Rookie women's wrestler. Managed by Fantasee

Freddie Galino: Heel. One half of Galino & Farnes

Gavin Jones: Face. Member of the Hunters. One half of the Play Pals. 3-time tag team champion. 2-time Cruiserweight champion. Coming off a win in the 8-person tag match for control of the company.

Hannah McCormick: Heel. Cocky wannabe music star. The 4th Queen of the Ring.

Haven: Face. Former leader of the Order stable. The most recent King of the Ring winner.

Ian Moore: Face. Non-wrestler. Only keeping him to make sure he doesn't sign for another company. I've actually lost track of how many accomplishments he's had in his career.

Isaac Wolff: Face. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.

Jake Connelly: Face. Looking to phase him into managing Brandon Reigns as he's getting up there in age. This is another guy where I've lost track of how many accomplishments he's had but it's been a hell of a career.

Jamie Roderick: Face. Second generation women's wrestler. 3-time Women's champion

Jason Sorola: Heel. Former member of the Hunters. 1-time Intercontinental champion, 3-time cruiserweight champion. Failed to win Money in the Bank at WM

Jenna Kyle: Heel. Former friend of Faith Connors. 2-time Queen of the Ring winner in back-to-back years. 3-time Women's Champion. Lost the fall for her team in the 8-person tag match at WM for control of the company

Jerome McDougal: Heel. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.

Jesse Capalbo: Face. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.

Jimmy Farnes: Heel. Other half of Galino & Farnes.

Joey Dillinger: Face. Other half of the Dillingers. 4-time tag champion, 2-time cruiserweight champion. Failed to win the tag team titles at WM.

Joey Osbourne: Heel. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.

Johnny Dangerson: Heel. One half of the Millennium Rebels. 2-time Cruiserweight champion. Managed by Aaron Ramsey

Jordan Demiras: Face. Current Cruiserweight champion in his first reign. Coming off a successful title defense in a triple threat at WM.

Josh Turmell: Face. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.

Julian Merrick: Heel. One half of the Future Foundation and current tag team champion in his second reign. Brother to and managed by Vivian Merrick. Successfully defended title at WM against the Dillingers.

Justin Mitchell: Heel. One half of the Academy. 2-time tag team champion. Coming off loss in the 8-person tag match for control of the company at WM.

Kelley Hayes: Heel. Nothing of note. She's on the post-WM chopping block.

Kerry Cemenko: Face. 1-time Unified World champion, 3-time Intercontinental champion. Failed to win Money in the Bank at WM.

King Kavovit: Heel. Failed to win Money in the Bank at WM

Kyle Jacobs: Face. Second generation star. Current Intercontinental champion after winning it at WM for his first reign.

L.A. Xander: Heel. Nothing of note

Lauren Franklyn: Face. Nothing of note

Lisa Benton: Face. Non-wrestler. Current boss. 6-time Women's champion

Lonny Richards: Face. Other half of Mean & Greene with Caleb Greene. Coming off a loss in an 8-man tag match at WM. Former tag team champion. Managed by Aphrodite.

Luis Ortega: Heel. One half of the Sin City Rollers.

Lyle Morris: Heel. Former half of the Morris Cousins and former member of the Order. Failed to win the cruiserweight title at WM. Multiple time tag team champion

Lzzy Ryd: Face. I want to try pushing her but it's a crowded women's division as it is.

Madison: Face. Nothing of note. I'll probably turn her into a manager as well.

Marc Fury: Face. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.

Martyn LaSalle: Face. 3-time Cruiserweight champion. Failed to win Money in the Bank at WM

Mathias: Face. Coming off a win in a 6-man tag match at WM. Managed by Paul Andrews.

Matt Riley: Heel. One half of the Young Bloods. Managed by Stephen Q. Sterling

Maya: Heel. Nothing of note.

Michael Haywood: Face. Member of the Hunters. Other half of the Play Pals. 3-time tag team champion. Coming off a win in the 8-person tag match for control of the company at WM.

Michael Hotbody: Heel. Debuted this year for the cruiserweight division. Led his team to victory at WM in an 8-man tag match.

Miles Shawcross: Heel. Failed to win the Cruiserweight Title at WM in a triple threat match.

Missy Brantley: Face. Nothing of note.

Moses McKay: Heel. 2-time Intercontinental champion. Failed to win Money in the Bank at WM.

Naomi Bailley: Heel. This year's Queen of the Ring winner. Failed to win the Women's title at WM.

Nate Exley: Face. Other half of the British Infection with Adrian Gallagher. Managed by Fantasee.

Nathan Quinn: Heel. Another grizzled veteran that might be outlasting his usefulness. Not sure if I want to make him a manager. Like Connelly and Moore he's got a laundry list of achievements.

Noah Carmichael: Face. The top face and current Unified World champion in his third reign. Former member of the City Slickers. 4-time tag team champion. Successfully defended the Unified World title at WM.

Orlando Kincaid: Heel. Former member of the Order. 3-time tag team champion, 1-time Intercontinental champion. Coming off a loss in a 6-man tag match at WM.

Ozzy Mandias: Face. Rookie cruiserweight. Nothing of note

Patrick Dean Quartermaine: Face. Veteran cruiserweight. Former tag team champion. He's been around for a long time and I might have to give him the manager treatment.

Paul Andrews: Face manager. Like Connelly, Moore, and Quinn, he's got a lot of accolades under his belt but it was time for him to transition.

Phoebe Hanson: Face. Probably the top name to take over the spot as main female face down the road.

Quentin McDaniels: Heel. De facto top heel in the absence of Butch Fleming. Former member of the City Slickers and partner to Noah Carmichael. 2-time Intercontinental champion, 4-time tag team champion. This year's Royal Rumble winner. Failed to win the Unified World title at WM.

Randy Ellis: Heel. Other half of the Academy with Justin Mitchell. 2-time tag team champion. Coming off a loss in the 8-person tag match for control of the company at WM.

Raymond Delaney: Face. Nothing of note.

Rick Hilton: Heel. Other half of the Future Foundation with Julian Merrick and current tag team champion in his second reign. Boyfriend of and managed by Vivian Merrick. Successfully defended the tag team titles at WM against the Dillingers.

Riott: Face. Retired....ish. I have no more plans to use her as an active competitor anymore but she hasn't gone Non-wrestler yet and I don't see her as a manager. 8-time Women's champion, 16-0 at WM.

Robbie Greer: Face. Other half of the Wyldhearts with Blaine Bellamey. 1-time Cruiserweight champion. Coming off a loss in an 8-man tag at WM.

Romeo Valiente. Heel. 3-time Cruiserweight champion. On the post-WM chopping block.

Ronnie Costello: Heel. Rookie. Brother to Carmella Costello. Managed by Brooke.

Ryan Pattillo: Face. Leader of the Hunters. 3-time Unified World champion, 2-time Intercontinental champion. Coming off a win in the 8-person tag for control of the company at WM.

Salvatore Scabbia: Heel. Remained undefeated from his debut going 26+ months straight. Previous Intercontinental champion. Had both his streak and title reign ended at WM by Kyle Jacobs. Managed by Brooke.

Sammy Brady: Heel. Other half of the Millennium Rebels with Johnny Dangerson.

Sarah Moore: Face. On the post-WM chopping block.

Seth Von Kamp: Face. Former tag team champion with Chris Collins, 2036 King of the Ring. Failed to win Money in the Bank at WM.

Shawn Dangerson: Face. Brother to Johnny Dangerson

Sonya Braddock: Face. Current Women's champion in her 5th reign. In universe she transitioned from MMA. Only competes on PPVs a la Brock Lesnar. Successfully defended the Women's title against Naomi Bailley at WM.

Sophie Waters: Face. Another veteran that might have to transition to manager. 6-time Women's champion

Stanley Coleman: Face. Rookie cruiserweight. Managed by Aphrodite.

Stephen Q. Sterling: Heel manager.

Steve Hayes: Heel. Nothing of note

Stone Walsh: Face. Nothing of note

Sully Lane: Heel. Other half of the Young Bloods with Matt Riley. Managed by Stephen Q. Sterling.

Tania: Face. Nothing of note

Tokyo Kid: Face. One half of the Tokyo Titans.

Tom Foley: Heel. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.

Vivian Merrick: Heel. Competes and also manages the Future Foundation.

Whiskey Murdock: Heel. Other half of the Southern Gentleman with Brody Lee.

Wrakk: Heel. Currently serving a one-year suspension for retweeting Candace Owens. Was in the middle of his first Unified World title reign when hit the suspension. 2034 King of the Ring.

Wu: Face. Other half of the Tokyo Titans with the Tokyo Kid.

Xavier Cross: Heel. 3-time Unified World champion, 1-time Intercontinental champion. Failed to win Money in the Bank at WM. Feuding with Haven.

Zachary Vale: Heel. Cruiserweight. Nothing of note.


Aaaaand that's that. I don't know how soon I'll get back to the game. :o

[Evil Vito]

Some of these names are a blast in the past, I immediately remembered Ian Moore for example. But also the surnames of many of the 2nd generation stars. When you're far enough into the future that your game-generated training camp recruits' kids are now in the business!!! Excellent.

[Evil Vito]

One-year suspension for retweeting Candace Owens. :lol:

1) He's lucky that he got off that easy.
2) Candace Owens is still a thing in 2040? Fuuuuuuck!

[M-A-G]

Some of these names are a blast in the past, I immediately remembered Ian Moore for example. But also the surnames of many of the 2nd generation stars. When you're far enough into the future that your game-generated training camp recruits' kids are now in the business!!! Excellent.

That reminds me, I didn't even post my developmental and training camp guys. Here's a fun game: Try guessing which names were game-generated and which I assigned. ;)

[Evil Vito]

Kudos to you for trying to run three brands. I always had a hard time trying to run Raw, NXT, and SmackDown concurrently. In part because I also wanted to run a Superstars-esque B show since there was such a bloated roster and I'd have no way to feature the low card talent and build their overness on the main shows.

A little EWR hack I exploited in the later versions which allow anyone to be converted to managers - I'd move the upper midcard/main event guys to managers because that way they don't get pissed if they are only appearing on 1 of your promotions' 4 shows.

Modern day AEW might be totally EWR-friendly though. You have the main show Dynamite, and secondary show Dark. They routinely run 10+ match cards on Dark so you can just book wall to wall matches and use everyone that didn't work Dynamite that week. Might have to play around with it.

[M-A-G]

It was driving me crazy not being able to get charismatic, older wrestlers to become managers because I was slowly losing the few that I had. It wasn't until, in a rage, I offered one of the candidates a significant pay bump that I discovered that was the way to do it. Now I don't have to immediately dismiss a new talent just because they can't talk for shit. Wish I'd known that years ago. :mad:

[M-A-G]

And, yes, I modeled my Faith Connors after this Faith Connors....

https://www.writeups.org/wp-content/uploads/Faith-Connors-Mirror-Edge-video-game.jpg


Even gave her the Daredevil gimmick. I can't really name anyone who ever integrated parkour into their wrestling style. I mean, Jeff Hardy tried sometimes but, you know, the drugs were like, "LOL".

[Evil Vito]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WWCXVPDuI48" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[M-A-G]

Well, yeah, but has he brought down a corrupt police force and leaped off a building onto a helicopter? :shifty:

[Evil Vito]

Lol when I first saw the roster write up I forgot to ask if Brody Lee was the same guy as Brodie Lee/Luke Harper and that it would be crazy to see this bearded wild man still wrestling at 60 years old.

And then the world took him from us in real life :(

[M-A-G]

Yeah, no, it's definitely not the same dude. There are virtually zero traces of modern era WWE left in my game as far as workers are concerned. I think the last one was Miz but I'm pretty sure I'm wrong.

[M-A-G]

Might as well post the whole WrestleMania 56 card now that the roster gave a picture as to what's what. I've kind of-sort of began planning for Backlash as I usually take a breather after WrestleMania to map out where I want the rest of the year to go, plus it's not like it's a priority. I'll get around to it eventually.

WrestleMania 56 results:

Michael Hotbody, Zed Jones, and the Agents of Change def. Mean & Greene and The Wyldhearts

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras def. Miles Shawcross and Lyle Morris in a triple threat match to retain

Mathias and The Can-Am Connection def. Azazel, Chet Morris, and Orlando Kincaid

Brandon Reigns won Money in the Bank

WWE Unified Tag Team champions The Future Foundation def. The Dillingers to retain

WWE Women's Champion Sonya Braddock def. Naomi Bailley to retain

Team Lisa Benton (Ryan Pattillo, Gavin Jones, Michael Haywood, and Faith Connors) def. Team Vanessa (Chris Collins, Randy Ellis, Justin Mitchell, and Jenna Kyle)

Kyle Jacobs def. Salvatore Scabbia to become the new Intercontinental Champion

WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael def. Quentin McDaniels to retain

[Evil Vito]

Feel like you’re in the same boat I always get booking real life WWE where Mania always ends up being loaded with multi man matches because I want to give everyone that sweet Mania payday.

But it’s worth it to get the super high crowd reaction ratings.

[M-A-G]

I try to avoid overloading it when I can with the exception of Money in the Bank. It's just that this year I had a lot of newer talent that I wanted to showcase and the dueling bosses storyline needed some sort of resolution. Plus I like to believe that I'd be capable of putting on a show that doesn't necessitate going longer than 4 hours.

[Jordan]

I stopped playing TEW 2020 in like June, how has the game changed since then?

[M-A-G]

Wait, they made a 2020 version? I trust crowd reaction isn't a factor.

[Jordan]

Wait, they made a 2020 version? I trust crowd reaction isn't a factor.

Adam is still doing updates constantly on it so I would assume they adapted some kind of pandemic mode.

[M-A-G]

When I heard that wrestling promotions were still doing shows but in empty arenas I had to facepalm. I mean, talk about something that is vitally tied to crowd reaction and participation. I have to also credit Verne Gagne for being ahead of the curve.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah, I had to tune in to an early pandemic WWE show out of morbid curiosity and it was so depressing. They were holding all shows in their Performance Center and there was just no attempt to add any ambiance, just silence, empty seats, and performers playing to a non-existent crowd out of habit.

AEW's first show in the pandemic was completely silent too and they quickly realized how unsettling it was, so they had the rest of the roster function as a makeshift crowd and it really helped liven things up.

[M-A-G]

Couldn't be more dead than the main event of WM 32.

[Evil Vito]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tWvstlJ_YoU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Bleak

[M-A-G]

Apologies but I'll have to take you at your word. I've made it a vow to never watch another match or wrestling show again. :(

[M-A-G]

Although, I'm struggling to post during this near uncontrollable laughing fit brought on by the idea of Drew McIntyre being a threat to Brock Lesnar. :lol:

[Evil Vito]

Apologies but I'll have to take you at your word. I've made it a vow to never watch another match or wrestling show again. :(

We’ll see about that; I heard that next year’s Mania would have a Natalie Imbruglia vs Hayley Williams evening gown match.

[M-A-G]

We’ll see about that; I heard that next year’s Mania would have a Natalie Imbruglia vs Hayley Williams evening gown match.

Pffft....how stupid do you think I am?:roll:


























That's the match where you have to strip your opponent, right? :shifty:

[M-A-G]

https://i.imgur.com/8mcMoOK.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/eZMVtgy.jpg

I don't know. Seeing them like this is making me lean more towards a pillow fight.

[M-A-G]

M-A-G is also revered for cleaning up the business by eliminating politics and ridding the company of deadwood and primadonnas as well as giving chances to the little guys, most notably, former mid-card resident, Test, who skyrocketed his way to 7 Intercontinental Title reigns, 5 Tag Team Title reigns, 3 European Title reigns and 5 WWE Championship reigns....

LOL, looking back, I really was quite generous to Test. :lol:

[M-A-G]

<font color=goldenrod>

-We had an interview with M-A-G and his client, Test. We were hoping to get an update on Test's condition:

M-A-G: I have an announcement, as much as I hate the idea, my client, formerly known as Test, now wants to be known as Eugene.
Eugene: YAY! YAY! YAY! *jumps up and down clapping*
*does a bunch of gyrations and sound effects*
M-A-G: It appears as though Eugene wants a match tonigh who do you want to face, m'boy?
Eugene: Uhh.....uh......uh......GOLDBERG! :D
M-A-G: :|

Five minutes later, and the match was already over. Eugene got totally squashed to the point where M-A-G had to come into the ring to assist Eugene after the match.
</font>

I don't think I ever offered the proper amount of mad props for this. :lol:

[Evil Vito]

Haha, I think in inherited your save files right around the time Test returned WWE, putting on absolute eyesores on ECW in 2006. So I was eager to knock him down many pegs.

[M-A-G]

Alright, I'm going to attempt to post my progress going into Backlash but I make no guarantees on a consistent basis. I'm about 4 shows removed from WrestleMania but I'll do what I can to fill in the gaps starting with the Raw the night after. So let's get to it.

Raw: March 26, 2040

The show opens up with the undisputed boss, Lisa Benton, coming down to the ring to address the crowd. She thanks the people for their support throughout the entire feuding authority figures ordeal and especially for being behind her team at WrestleMania. All four individuals will be rewarded and even more importantly, the people will also be rewarded tonight. First things first, however, as there's some cleaning up that needs doing. With that said, Benton asks Vanessa, head of the losing team, to join her in the ring. Begrudgingly, Vanessa enters the arena and gets face-to-face with Benton. Benton wants to make it known that she takes no pleasure in what happened as she wanted no part of the competition. She does take offense, however, to all of Vanessa's efforts prior that were designed to get Benton removed from power. Vanessa asks if it's so wrong to think that she can do a better job and tries to appeal to Benton's sympathies by suggesting a form of partnership. Benton responds that there is only one entity that consistently has had her back for her entire career, through the bad times and the good, and that she made a promise that that entity would be rewarded. So, unfortunately, Vanessa, YOU'RE FIRED!

Vanessa throws a fit and tries to stand her ground but unfortunately is dragged out of ring and arena via security. Benton waves goodbye as the crowd erupts with joy. Benton turns her attention back to the crowd. The night is still young and we're just getting started. Tonight there will be not one, not two, but THREE championship main events! Last night, the triple threat Cruiserweight Title match was one of the most praised and thus Benton feels that the people deserve a similar highlight tonight. So Jordan Demiras will defend the Cruiserweight Title against Martyn LaSalle and Jason Sorola in another triple threat match! Also, Kyle Jacobs made his mark in history last night by unseating the undefeated Intercontinental Champion, Salvatore Scabbia, but there was another individual who had quite an eventful night himself. Let's see who can continue their momentum tonight. Kyle Jacobs will defend the Intercontinental Title against the winner of Money In the Bank, Brandon Reigns! And to top it all off, Benton will be granting one of her team's members his reward as Ryan Pattillo will challenge Noah Carmichael for the Unified World Title! Let the new era begin!

First Match: Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones vs. Mean & Greene (Caleb Greene and Lonny Richards)
An extension of the feud between Greene and Hotbody and the match in which they were involved last night. Hotbody continues to be an overbearing douche, avoiding Greene whenever possible. Jones is able to get the duke by pinning Richards via chicanery. 89% overall rating

Backstage, Kyle Jacobs addresses his win last night and the challenge before him tonight. He brings up not wanting to be known solely for his lineage and that the path towards carving out his own legacy began at WrestleMania but unfortunately for Brandon Reigns, it continues through him tonight. Jacobs pulled off what many considered the impossible and Salvatore Scabbia is more than welcome to try again after Reigns is taken care of.

Second Match: Jenna Kyle and The Academy vs. Faith Connors and The Play Pals
Continuing the animosity from last night, it's six-person action at its finest. Fortune is not on the side of the faces two nights in a row, however, as Randy Ellis is able to cheat his way to a pin over Michael Haywood. 91% overall

Third Match: Queen of the Ring Naomi Bailley vs. Missy Brantley
Bailley is not looking happy after narrowly getting beaten in her Women's Title match against Sonya Braddock. Fortunately, she's able to channel her emotions to a pretty decisive pinfall victory here. 92% overall

Fourth Match: The Agents of Change vs. MC Enterprises
Just a match to give the rub to an up-and-coming team via another team I'm getting rid off. The Agents get the duke here. 94% overall

Backstage, Brandon Reigns prepares for his match tonight. Jake Connelly comes across his warming up and congratulates him. Connelly has to be honest: losing a chance to not be in the Money in the Bank match hurt a lot. Maybe there are too many miles on this body but if someone else had to win, he's glad it was someone like Reigns who is a lot like Connelly in many ways. Connelly offers to watch Reigns' back tonight as he's sure Salvatore Scabbia is looking to screw things up. Reigns thanks him for the offer and the praise and is welcoming to the idea.

Fifth Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Martyn LaSalle vs. Jason Sorola
All three are the best the division has to offer and they prove that here in hotly contested affair. LaSalle and Sorola certainly have a lot to prove as they both failed to win Money in the Bank. Ultimately, Sorola's cockiness gets the better of him as he tries to apply LaSalle's own Martynizer on him and Demiras takes advantage to score a pin on Sorola to retain. 90% overall

Xavier Cross comes out to berate Haven for being responsible for Cross not winning Money in the Bank. He's tired of the mind games and the freak show. Haven is simply jealous of everything Cross has accomplished so he tries to get by and maintain relevance with parlor tricks and shock value. Haven is nothing without the pomp and pageantry! This naturally leads to Haven coming down to chase off Cross.

Sixth Match: WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs vs. Brandon Reigns
Pretty hot back and forth match with a respectful tone. Sadly, Connelly's fears come to pass as Salvatore Scabbia tries to interject himself as both competitors are on the outside. Connelly assumes Scabbia is looking to get to Reigns and tries to intercept but Scabbia responds by slamming Jacobs into the steel stairs causing a DQ win for Jacobs. Scabbia boots Connelly down and proceeds to pound on Jacobs. 88% overall

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael vs. Ryan Pattillo
Another hotly contested match that looks it can go either way. Sadly, Chris Collins is a sore loser and is able to attack Pattillo behind the ref's back. Carmichael is able to score the win to retain thanks to Collins. Quentin McDaniels runs in to nail Carmichael from behind as we go off the air. Overall: 85%

Overall Show Rating: 87%

And that's it for now. Superstars should be next but we'll see when I get to it.

[Evil Vito]

Great stuff, if Raw could be this good in real life I never would've stopped watching. Hopefully you keep it going :y:

[Evil Vito]

Still tempted to do an AEW game, but structurally a bit difficult to pull off in EWR since they only have 4 or 5 true PPVs a year. But it's a game so I can just bend reality and turn the special episodes of Dynamite they do now and then and turn them into PPV specials.

Doubt I'd post weekly TV as I know myself well enough to know I'd burn out of keeping a proper diary. My track record with staying on these games is not great.

[M-A-G]

There really should be more freedom afforded in regards to when you can do big events or if you even want to do them. I know the stretch between SummerSlam and Survivor Series is usually a bit of a slump for me sometimes.

[M-A-G]

Superstars: March 29, 2040

Opening Match: The Wyldhearts (Blaine Bellamy and Robbie Greer) vs. The Millennium Rebels (Johnny Dangerson and Sammy Brady)
This is mainly to give a boost to the Wyldhearts plus furthering their feud with The Agents of Change. The Agents screw up an interference attempt allowing Bellamy to get a pin over Brady. 89% overall

Backstage, Aphrodite is waiting on Caleb Greene. Michael Hotbody comes around and gets all up in her personal space, propositioning her managerial services and espousing his superiority over Caleb Greene. She's clearly not interested but that doesn't go over too well. Fortunately, Greene arrives and chases Hotbody off.

Second Match: Vivian Merrick vs. Tania
Merrick gets the win here via chicanery. 89% overall.

Backstage, Salvatore Scabbia is with his manager, Brooke to address Kyle Jacobs and his fluke victory. Scabbia saved Jacobs' skin on Raw because there was no way he could've beat Brandon Reigns. No one else has the right to take away that Intercontinental Title other than Scabbia.

Third Match: Miles Shawcross vs. DJ Stokes
A bit of rebuilding for Shawcross following his loss at WM plus Stokes is on the chopping block anyway. Shawcross gets the win here. 87% overall.

Fourth Match: Azazel vs. Bobby Whitlock
Whitlock is also on the chopping block and Azazel is on the rise. Put two and two together. Azazel with a decisive win here. 89% overall.

Fifth Match: The Wasteland (Duke and Drakken) vs. The Wolves of Wall Street
Just a match to give a face a win following the last 3 heel wins on this show. The Wasteland get the nod here. 96% overall.

Backstage, Seth Von Kamp is eager to rip into Moses McKay. Money in the Bank left scars on everyone involved but it's safe to say that McKay gave Von Kamp the deepest. Von Kamp doesn't forget stuff like that and he'll make sure McKay doesn't either.

Sixth Match: Haven vs. King Kavovit
Xavier Cross looks to continue his feud with Haven here as he causes a DQ by attacking Haven from behind. He bails the minute Haven looks like he's ready to pull Cross's spine out. 87% overall.

Seventh Match: Hannah McCormick vs. Beckie Demira
Demira is on the way out and McCormick is just nothing but win anyway. McCormick gets the decisive win here. 88% overall.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael, WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs, Martyn LaSalle vs. Quentin McDaniels, Salvatore Scabbia, Jason Sorola
A nexus of some pretty personal feuds here. Brooke proves to be the x factor here as she distracts Jacobs long enough for McDaniels to sneak out a pinfall for the win. 89% overall.

Overall show rating: 89%

[Evil Vito]

Hot damn those overall ratings! So since Raw lost out on the three way GM feud earlier, does that leave Raw and Superstars as one big merged roster?

[Evil Vito]

Also Johnny Dangerson is the greatest name ever

[Evil Vito]

Double post

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: March 30, 2040

Lisa Benton is here to announce that there will be a series of Beat the Clock matches starting on Raw this Monday, continuing on Superstars and culminating on next week's SmackDown! The winner with the fastest time from these matches will be the number one contender to the Unified World Title and receive their championship match at Backlash's main event. Also, tonight's main event will pit the team of Haven and Noah Carmichael against Xavier Cross and Quentin McDaniels.

First Match: Moses McKay and Clubber Harris vs. Seth Von Kamp and Kerry Cemenko
Continuing the carnage from Money in the Bank and the feud between McKay and Von Kamp, the heels get the duke here when McKay beats Von Kamp to the ring for a countout win. 88% overall.

Faith Connors comes out to join us and brings up the reward that Lisa Benton had promised her on Raw. Benton said that's up to Connors and to be honest it's been keeping her up, thinking just what would be the sweetest, most satisfying thing to ask for. Maybe a final grudge match against Jenna Kyle to finally settle things? Maybe being able to headline WrestleMania next year? Maybe a guaranteed Hall of Fame induction? All things that would bring a smile to her face and a warmth to her heart but nothing is more desirable than being able to become the WWE Women's champion for a sixth time.

Jenna Kyle comes out to object to this. Jenna argues the case for a match against her. She knows how their last one-on-one encounter ended really stuck in the craw of Connors and that she's never been able to let it go. Yes, there was some measure of retribution at WrestleMania but the two of them were really just pawns in a larger game. The two of them have their own business. Connors interjects and questions Jenna's sudden eagerness to face her. Could it be that she doesn't want Faith to become champion and knows she wouldn't be able to take it away. Jenna laughs that off and dares Faith to challenge Braddock and see how it works out.

Naomi Bailley, the Queen of the Ring, comes out to object to Jenna's objecting. The only real victim here is Naomi herself she claims. She turns her attention to Faith and states that as her Queen she demands that Faith offer a chance for Naomi to win the favor that Benton has granted her so she can take her rightful place as Women's Champion. Connors claims that Naomi isn't owed anything. Jenna agrees and brings up that Naomi is face-to-face with two Queens of the Ring, one of whom is a back-to-back winner. Naomi isn't impressed with either of them and that her own legacy will eclipse theirs. Faith gets in her face and says she'll have to wait a little longer. Naomi shoves Faith away and Jenna responds by knocking Faith down. Before things get too messy Sonya Braddock runs down to break things up.

Second Match: The Dillingers (Ben and Joey) vs. The Academy (Randy Ellis and Justin Mitchell)
The tag team champions, The Future Foundation screw up a run-in here and allow The Dillingers to get the win here. The Play Pals run down to save. 93% overall.

Third Match: Brandon Reigns vs. Zachary Vale
Just a match to give Reigns a win as part of his Money in the Bank push. 88% overall.

Fourth Match: Phoebe Hanson vs. Kelley Hayes
Hayes is on the chopping block so the outcome shouldn't be in doubt. A final rub to give to an up-and-comer in Hanson. 92% overall

Backstage, Martyn LaSalle brings up Quentin McDaniels. LaSalle may have had his plate full with other matters but he hasn't forgot the issue between the two of them prior to WrestleMania. He brings up that Benton has informed LaSalle that he is among the first set of participants in the Beat the Clock challenge. LaSalle wants McDaniels to watch and learn.

Fifth Match: The Morris Cousins (Chet and Lyle) vs. The British Infection (Adrian Gallagher and Nate Exley)
A reunion of sorts for the Morris Cousins as they had been separated during the three-way roster split. Their chemistry hasn't been lost as they get the win here. 95% overall.

Sixth Match: The Agents of Change (Clayton North and Corey Mattis) vs. Mean & Greene (Caleb Green and Lonny Richards)
Michael Hotbody just refuses to stop being a douche, having learned nothing from Aphrodite's rejection on Superstars and comes down to proposition her again. Greene has had enough of this shit and chases Hotbody around the ring and over the barrier but all this does is allow the Agents to fuck up Richards and get the win. 89% overall.

Seventh Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Luis Ortega
Just a match to give a bump for the champion. Afterwards, Josh Matthews informs everyone from the announce booth that he's just been informed by Lisa Benton that Raw will open up with a 30-man Rumble to determine the number one contender for the Cruiserweight Title at Backlash! 91% overall.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael and Haven vs. Quentin McDaniels and Xavier Cross
A back-and-forth affair that unfortunately ends with miscommunication on the face side that leads to McDaniels sneaking a pinfall win over Carmichael. This doesn't go over too well with the champion. 91% overall.

Overall show rating: 91%

[M-A-G]

Hot damn those overall ratings! So since Raw lost out on the three way GM feud earlier, does that leave Raw and Superstars as one big merged roster?

Yes, the rosters essentially unified again after No Way Out when Darren Caine was the odd man out with the other two shows kicking Raw's ass. Vanessa and Benton were in charge of the whole roster and made decisions together for Raw. However, on Superstars, only Vanessa made decisions and on SmackDown!, Benton made the decisions. Now that it's all over, Benton oversees everything.

[M-A-G]

Also Johnny Dangerson is the greatest name ever

Yeah, that's one from the game's generator. I liked it so much I gave it to another worker, thus we have Shawn Dangerson. Michael Hotbody is another one. I wanted to change it at first but then I thought, "Wait, what if this guy's character is just some obnoxious douche who has, in no way, shape, or form, any kind of hot body and that's the joke?" So it stuck. :)

[Evil Vito]

A 30-man Rumble on free TV? AND you have at least 30 cruiserweights under employ in the first place?

The Anti-Vince!

[Evil Vito]

I think I tried unifying the rosters in a modern WWE game but largely still wound up booking like there was an unofficial split where some guys were on one show way more often than the other, mostly because I had so many guys on the roster it just fell that way naturally. The IC champion more or less became the face of SmackDown as a result.

[M-A-G]

End of the month tidbits as we roll into April: I've cut a good chunk of the people I had my on in terms of the chopping block. Carl Deveroux of the Ragin' Cajuns decided to be a non-wrestler. Maybe I can turn his partner Daniel St. Croix heel and give him a singles run while I axe Deveroux?

Some other people on the indies are retiring. I usually hire people like them for one-shot deals to give a win to an up-and-comer.

Speaking of which, 4 people in developmental are ready to join the main roster. They are as follows:
- Alexander Piero: Face. Not too charismatic but a hell of a brawler. I'll probably slap him with Madison as a manager.
- Hugo: Heel. The only real charismatic one of the bunch. I want to do the video package build-up for him.
- Bill Crockett: Heel. Cruiserweight. He'll probably be on the lower end of the totem pole.
- Vinnie LaPaige: Heel. Cruiserweight. It's too early to tell where I'll go with him.

[M-A-G]

A 30-man Rumble on free TV? AND you have at least 30 cruiserweights under employ in the first place?

The Anti-Vince!

To be fair, a few are in tag teams (Clayton North, Lyle Morris, Caleb Greene) but you're right in the sense that there's a healthy amount under my employ. Almost as if wrestling would get boring if everyone was so cookie cutter or something but that's crazy talk.

[M-A-G]

I think I tried unifying the rosters in a modern WWE game but largely still wound up booking like there was an unofficial split where some guys were on one show way more often than the other, mostly because I had so many guys on the roster it just fell that way naturally. The IC champion more or less became the face of SmackDown as a result.

I try to make to where there's a pool of 12-15 that show up all the time in some form or another. Even if the matches end up involving lower-card workers, having the top guys doing at least angles is enough to get you by. A general rule I try to follow is having at least two champions on the show somehow as well.

[M-A-G]

Honestly, I think a case can be made where I can venture off and do an all-female promotion with some of what I got. Here's a glance at a few of the top women I have:

https://i.imgur.com/AAEPbQb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TqzgpfA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DPneN0q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LTLbLbO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FsIpnsO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HEgm1O3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EdrVbBC.jpg

Oh, sure, some of them may look like they're underpaid but they make a killing in merchandise. :shifty:

[M-A-G]

Raw: April 2, 2040

Opening Match: 30-Man Rumble
This was announced on SmackDown! and the winner will receive a match for the WWE Cruiserweight Title at Backlash. The main highlight here was Michael Hotbody taking a really ugly fall after being bumped off the apron and having his head ricochet in a pretty sickening fashion. The match continued while the medical crew tries to take care of Hotbody in the outside and eventually they begin wheeling him to the back. Flash forward to the final moments as Caleb Greene manages to dump his final adversary but LO AND BEHOLD, Michael Hotbody leaps off the gurney perfectly fine and sneaks in behind Greene and dumps him to claim victory. Your number one contender, Michael Hotbody! 87% overall.

Backstage, Brandon Reigns makes it official that Jake Connelly will indeed be his manager. He's glad he's got someone with the career of Connelly and last week he showed he can be trusted.

Video package promoting the upcoming debut of Hugo.

Second Match: Alexander Piero vs. Makabre
This is to showcase the debuting Piero as Makabre is just a retiring hire to be a jobber here. Piero gets the win with a move called the Flashpoint. 59% overall, but that's to be expected all things considered.

Third Match: Joey Dillinger vs. Julian Merrick
Continuing the feud between the Dillingers and the Future Foundation. Dillinger manages to get a countout win. 91% overall.

Fourth Match: Martyn LaSalle vs. Jason Sorola
This is the first match in the Beat the Clock series so obviously whoever wins here sets the time to beat. There will be 9 matches total. Three tonight, three on Superstars, and three on SmackDown!. The fastest time faces the Unified World Champion at Backlash. LaSalle is able to get the tapout win with the Martynizer and sets the time. 90% overall.

Backstage, Moses McKay informs us that his match tonight against Seth Von Kamp is also a Beat the Clock challenge match. If Seth thinks what happened to his face at Money in the Bank is something, just wait until McKay rubs his number one contendership in it.

Fifth Match: Xavier Cross vs. Kerry Cemenko
The second Beat the Clock match of the night. Sadly, time expires and thus neither man can be in consideration. Haven appears on the screen and laughs at Cross. 91% overall.

Sixth Match: Seth Von Kamp vs. Moses McKay
The third Beat the Clock match of the night. McKay does his best to try to reopen Von Kamp's injuries throughout but he's facing a hell of a resistant opponent tonight. Von Kamp manages to hit the Collapse of Society in the final few seconds and looks like he might beat the time but the blood loss hampers his recovery time and he's unable to get a pin in time. Time expires. 95% overall.

Seventh Match: Naomi Bailey and Hannah McCormick vs. Faith Connors and Jamie Roderick
The animosity from SmackDown! spills over to tonight between Bailey and Connors. Bailey is able to score a pin on Roderick for the win. 93% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Ryan Pattillo and Michael Haywood vs. The Academy
Haywood's usual partner, Gavin Jones, was in the cruiserweight Rumble earlier so stepping up is fellow Hunters member, and leader, Ryan Pattillo. We're informed that Pattillo will have his Beat the Clock match on SmackDown! against Chris Collins. This is another extension of WrestleMania's events. Pattillo looks like he's got things in hand but Chris Collins says, "Fuck this happy ending bullshit" and runs in for the DQ. Gavin Jones tries to come out for the save but he's in no condition to turn the tide. The heels celebrate to close the show. 91% overall.

Overall show rating: 86%

[Evil Vito]

Fuck yeah, Michael Hotbody!

[Evil Vito]

That women's division....holy fuck. I mean they're all great but pretty sure the rest of the division should be carrying Sonya Braddock around on their shoulders.

[M-A-G]

That women's division....holy fuck. I mean they're all great but pretty sure the rest of the division should be carrying Sonya Braddock around on their shoulders.

Hell, some of the men, too, less she suplex a jeep onto them. :)

[M-A-G]

I remember Braddock's early beginnings. She was charismatic obviously but I was also fortunate enough that her time in developmental got her overness to the 80s so she was prime to start murdering top name bitches from the get go. She was a heel then and proceeded to win the title just 5 months after her debut at WrestleMania and only appearing on PPV, remaining undefeated for 16 months until WrestleMania 50 where she faced the Undertaker of the women's division, Riott. They had some memorable matches that showed their love for each other, mostly involving broken tables, barbed wire pipes, and Hell in a Cell. You know, typical girl stuff. When Braddock later went face, I put her on yet another championship run that went over a year, this time plowing through the heels. I'm running out of things to do with her but I'm hoping this feud with Naomi will buy me some time to figure things out.

[Evil Vito]

Man, I'm not used to seeing people stay in development for their stats to get that good. I always got saddled with people wanting to be let out of development when they were decent at best.

[M-A-G]

Superstars: April 4, 2040

We open with Michael Hotbody coming down to the ring to talk about how brave he was on Raw, spitting in the face of a possible career-ending injury so early in his soon-to-be tremendous career, and pulling himself away from the brink of defeat to score such a historic win and punch his ticket to certain superstardom! He knows everyone watching was worried that things wouldn't work out but they will never have to be disappointed again as long as you put your faith in Michael Hotbody! Now let us all revel in appreciation! Michael begins another one of his stupid dances, teasing removing his attire for the 'delight' of the crowd.

Jordan Demiras interrupts the festivities and declares that he has a very simple and polite question for Hotbody: What the hell are you doing? Jordan wants to clarify that he doesn't just mean what you're doing right now. What are you even doing in the WWE at all. In the time you've been here, Michael, you've spent more time acting like a jackass than wrestling. You're celebrating what happened on Raw after spending almost 15 minutes on your ass. You've run away from Caleb Greene almost every time you're in the same vicinity. And now, you think with such an impressive display of NOTHING, you believe you're up to the challenge of winning the Cruiserweight Title? What are you doing?

Hotbody proclaims that he doesn't have to listen to this. Jordan is just jealous and wants to ruin the party. Hotbody is the new hotness of the Cruiserweight division and doesn't need to meet Jordan's standards. Hotbody works smart, not hard and that's why he's the envy of every man in this crowd because not everyone can be Michael Hotbody. Jordan fires back that he'd rather be Cruiserweight champion and he'll remain as such unless you get your act together by Backlash. Michael Hotbody claims he has nothing to worry about and he'll even prove it by offering a non-title match on SmackDown!. That seems cool with Demiras and he takes his leave.

First match: Alexander Piero vs. Vinnie LaPaige
A debut for LaPaige but this is mainly to push Piero. Piero gets the win here. 68% overall

Haven has words for Xavier Cross. He wants Cross to understand that misfortune will always be at the heels of the arrogant. Cross cannot escape his date with destiny anymore than Haven can. Tomorrow night, Haven takes one step towards the inevitable when time bends to his will.

Second match: Stanley Coleman vs. Bill Crockett
A debut for Crockett but he's not at the point where he should be over anyone major just yet. Coleman nails the Love Letter for the win. 79% overall

Third Match: Phoebe Hanson and Tania vs. C.J. and Arianna
Still looking to make Hanson look good. She gets the pin on Arianna for the win. 91% overall.

Backstage, Quentin McDaniels mocks the pathetic time set by Martyn LaSalle on Raw's Beat the Clock and is disappointed that no one else was able to beat it. It's fine as he's going to annihilate. He throws LaSalle's words back into his face by suggesting LaSalle watches and learns.

Fourth Match: Josh Turmell, El Silencio, and Ozzy Mandias vs. Romeo Valiente and Galino & Farnes
Valiente has it in for Mandias since it was Mandias who managed to eliminate Valiente from the Rumble on Raw plus this sort of puts a cap on the mini-feud between Galino & Farnes and Silencio and Mandias. Ozzy gets the pin on Jimmy Farnes. 86% overall

Fifth Match: Frankie vs. Kelley Hayes
OK, this should be Kelley's last match as Frankie needs more overness. Carmella Costello does a run-in attack on Frankie afterwards to continue the feud. 84% overall.

Sixth Match: Clubber Harris vs. Stone Walsh
The fourth Beat the Clock match. Fate isn't on their side tonight as they go the distance. 88% overall.

Seventh Match: Conner Buchanan vs. Orlando Kincaid
The fifth Beat the Clock match. Ditto as the last match. 89% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Quentin McDaniels vs. Mathias
The sixth Beat the Clock match. The streak of time limit draws ends here as McDaniels gets the pin and sets a new time to beat. Could we be getting a WrestleMania main event rematch? We'll see what SmackDown! has in store for us. 91% overall.

Overall show rating: 84%

I'm caught up and I should be able to put in the actual match report and star ratings now.

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: April 5, 2040

We open with Quentin McDaniels joining us in the ring to talk about his current status as the man to beat when it comes to the Beat the Clock challenge. He brings up tonight's matches, Salvatore Scabbia vs. Brandon Reigns, Haven vs. King Kavovit, and the main event, Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins. All six men, tremendous competitors without question but none with the capacity to beat the time set. And if anyone thinks he's whistling Dixie let's not forget Martyn LaSalle and how boastful he was last week. He got his dreams crushed like the loser he is.

Naturally this brings out LaSalle who is course miffed. He won't lie to McDaniels; having his time beat was a heartbreak but he's doesn't share the belief that McDaniels will coast onto the main event of Backlash. McDaniels takes this as a challenge so LaSalle offers a wager. Should no one beat the time set by McDaniels, then McDaniels gets his title shot as promised. But if the time is beat by anyone tonight, McDaniels faces LaSalle in a match of LaSalle's choosing at Backlash. McDaniels accepts and even offers to shake on it. LaSalle is hesitant to accept at first but eventually relents but gets an immediate right hand from McDaniels that knocks him down. McDaniels bails to the back proud of himself.

Backstage, Naomi Bailey runs into Sonya Braddock on the way to the dressing room. Braddock wants to make it clear that there was no fluke at WrestleMania and tells Naomi to think twice about being so eager to step into the ring with her again.

First Match: Alexander Piero vs. Raj
Raj is a jobber that's retiring so he's here to make Piero look good. Flying elbow from Raj Ghosh. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Piero is down. Cover for a two count. Piero ducks a wild right hand. Ghosh receives some punishment. Flying shoulder tackle by Piero sends Ghosh to the mat. Hooks the leg for a two count. Ghosh walks into a face-first flapjack. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Fallaway slam by Alexander Piero. Ghosh blocks a kick from Alexander Piero. Lightning kick by Ghosh on Piero. There's a two count on the pin. Piero walks into a face crusher variation. Pin, but Piero is out just before the three count. Hard back suplex on Piero. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Standing leg lariat by Raj Ghosh on Piero. Alexander Piero reverses a hip toss. Back elbow connects, Ghosh staggers backward. Flying clothesline by Piero. Raj Ghosh can barely stand. Here it comes - Flashpoint. 1....2...3, it's finished. I'll give it a **1\2 rating. 70% overall.

Second Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Michael Hotbody
Demiras is ready to go but Hotbody is still in his street clothes as he comes out with Zed Jones. Hotbody clears things up by saying that he never meant that he was offering a non-title match to Demiras against himself. Instead, Demiras gets to test his mettle against the mighty Zed Jones. So away we go...

Second Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Zed Jones
Stiff high kick on Jones by Jordan Demiras who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Kick from Jordan Demiras to the leg. Hard back suplex on Jones. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Demiras uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Jones counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Big backdrop on Demiras, executed well. Powerful Spear by Zed Jones. There's a two count on the pin. Jordan Demiras reverses a hip toss. Vicious lightning kick by Demiras on Jones. Cover for a two count. Jones walks into a face crusher variation. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Demiras walks into a trip. Zed Jones strikes Demiras. Demiras counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Driven DDT by Jordan Demiras. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Zed Jones gets knocked to the ground by Demiras, who is already climbing the turnbuckle. Axe Kick!!! Michael Hotbody quickly comes running down the aisle and into the ring! Jordan Demiras turns around....and gets knocked to the ground. The referee calls for the DQ because of the interference of Hotbody! Jones and Hotbody beat away on Jordan Demiras, leaving him spread-eagled on the canvas. That was good. **** rating. 89% overall.

Backstage, Kyle Jacobs wants to talk about Salvatore Scabbia. Jacobs finds it interesting that Scabbia is taking part of the Beat the Clock and hasn't been in any rush to get his rematch. It can't be that Scabbia is scared, right? It can't be because there's a chance he'll get embarrassed again, right? The prize of potentially getting a chance at the Unified World title is admittingly tempting, no doubt, but Jacobs is eager to get back at Scabbia.

Third Match: The Academy and WWE Unified Tag Team champions The Future Foundation vs. The Play Pals and The Dillingers
Randy Ellis scores with a back heel kick on Rage King. Big dropkick by Randy Ellis, who got good elevation. The Didact tags out to Justin Mitchell. Rage King gets slammed. Tag between Michael Haywood and Joey Dillinger. Double arm suplex by Justin Mitchell, Joey hits hard. Tag to Rick Hilton. Mitchell \ Hilton whip Joey into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Big piledriver on Joey. Cover for a two count. Tag between Rick Hilton and Julian Merrick. Fallaway slam by Julian Merrick. Powerful Spear by Julian Merrick. Tag to Randy Ellis. Tiger suplex on Joey, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Joey powers out of a headlock. Tag to Ben Dillinger. Dillinger drives a thrust kick into the chest of The Didact. Ben Dillinger hits a bulldog off the ropes. There's a two count on the pin. Tag between Ben Dillinger and Gavin Jones. Dillinger \ Jones hook up The Didact, then hit a double suplex. Cover for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Gavin Jones. Nicely done. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Gavin Jones misses a clothesline. Big dropkick by Justin Mitchell, who got good elevation. Tag to Julian Merrick. Ring-shaking slam on Jones. Julian Merrick misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Tag to Ben Dillinger. Jones \ Dillinger whip Merrick into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Shining Wizard on Merrick, Dillinger really laid that one in. Vivian Merrick has climbed up onto the apron! Dillinger turns...and falls for the distraction! Julian Merrick runs at Dillinger from behind...but misses! Julian Merrick collides with Vivian Merrick! Ben Dillinger floors Julian Merrick...and climbs the turnbuckles. Off the top - Frog Splash, forget about it. 1....2...3! Good **** rating. 89% overall.

Fourth Match: Naomi Bailey vs. Sophie Waters
Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Naomi Bailey pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Naomi Bailey hits some punches. Flying shoulder tackle by Bailey sends Waters to the mat. There's a two count on the pin. Naomi Bailey scores with a killer spinebuster. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Big backdrop on Waters, executed well. Waters reverses a Naomi Bailey hammerlock. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Hooks the leg for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Bailey goes down. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Waters hits a dropkick on Naomi Bailey. Waters hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Bailey counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Fallaway slam by Naomi Bailey. Naomi Bailey drills Sophie Waters with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Naomi Bailey moves in for the kill. Bail Out! 1....2....3. A ****1\4 rating, great bout. 92% overall.

Video package for the debuting Hugo.

Fifth Match: Beat the Clock challenge: Salvatore Scabbia vs. Brandon Reigns
Flying elbow from Brandon Reigns. Reigns pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Salvatore Scabbia down to the mat. There's a two count on the pin. Reigns only gets knees on a splash. Dropkick connects, Reigns goes down. Big Sal uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Hooks the leg for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Reigns goes flying. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Flying elbow from Salvatore Scabbia. Brandon Reigns reverses a hip toss. Massive backbreaker, Big Sal got nailed. Cover for a two count. Brandon Reigns drills Salvatore Scabbia with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Back elbow connects, Big Sal staggers backward. Reigns hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Brandon Reigns misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Big Sal hits a dropkick on Brandon Reigns. Tiger suplex on Reigns, right from out of the Misawa playbook. The bell rings. The referee declares that the time limit has expired, and the match is a draw. Kyle Jacobs comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! Big Sal turns around...straight into a Spinning Fallaway!! Salvatore Scabbia has been left down on the canvas. A **** rating for a good contest. 88% overall.

Sixth Match: Beat the Clock challenge: Haven vs. King Kavovit
Dropkick connects, Kavovit goes down. Spinning back kick from Haven. Flying elbow from Haven. Fallaway slam by Haven. Haven gets taken down out of nowhere. Big backdrop on Haven, executed well. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Haven is down. Hooks the leg for a two count. Kavovit only gets knees on a splash. Gutwrench into a stomach breaker, Kavovit may be winded. Hooks the leg for a two count. Slingshot senton by Haven, crushing the chest of Kavovit. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Haven only gets knees on a splash. Haven gets caught with a belly to belly suplex from Kavovit. Kavovit only gets knees on a splash. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Xavier Cross comes running down the aisle with a chair! Kavovit goes to irish whip Haven into the ropes. Cross prepares to swing the chair...but Haven reverses! Cross accidentally smacks Kavovit with a chair to the back! King Kavovit can barely stand. Here it comes - Sting of Solace. 1....2...3, it's finished. That was good. **** rating. Haven sets a new time to beat! 88% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Beat the Clock challenge: Chris Collins vs. Ryan Pattillo
Pattillo uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Pattillo pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Chris Collins down to the mat. Hooks the leg for a two count. Ryan Pattillo misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Standing leg lariat by Chris Collins on Pattillo. Collins hits a dropkick on Ryan Pattillo. There's a two count on the pin. Slingshot senton by Collins, crushing the chest of Pattillo. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Driven DDT by Chris Collins. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Chris Collins gets taken down out of nowhere. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Pattillo. Cover for a two count. Tiger suplex on Collins, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Hard back suplex on Collins. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Ryan Pattillo scores with a back heel kick on Collins. Chris Collins powers out of a Ryan Pattillo headlock. Stun Gun from Chris Collins! There used to be this blonde guy in WCW in the early 90's who used that...i wonder what happened to him? Back heel kick off the second rope, Pattillo goes flying. The bell rings, and this match has come to a time limit draw. I don't think the fight has finished. Chris Collins and Pattillo have begun brawling again! They wind up brawling all the way down the aisle and out of view. A **** rating for a good contest. 87% overall.

Haven wins the Beat the Clock challenge and is thus the number one contender for the Unified World Title.

Current Backlash card:
WWE Unified World Title: Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody

Overall show rating: 83%

[Evil Vito]

My god the TV is loaded with great matches. Love the idea of Beat the Clock extending across all shows.

[Evil Vito]

https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/12/mcvjxGl.jpg

[M-A-G]

I wonder what Meltzer would be doing in 20 years.

[M-A-G]

My god the TV is loaded with great matches. Love the idea of Beat the Clock extending across all shows.

The pacing of things is one of the multitude of factors that drove me crazy about WWE. They have 4 God damn TV shows (at the time, I don't know about now) but they ran things by the seat of their pants. Spread things out a bit, let fans know what they can look forward to.

[#1-norm-fan]

Man, I'm not used to seeing people stay in development for their stats to get that good. I always got saddled with people wanting to be let out of development when they were decent at best.

In the later TEW game I was playing, you could assign focus to a guy in development so his in-ring or entertainment skills rise faster. The worst was having a 20 year old with incredible entertainment skills and bad wrestling skills and having illusions of the next Ric Flair on your roster only for his wrestling skills to never develop.

You can always just use him as a manager but still...

[Evil Vito]

I might give the latest TEW a demo download but it seems so absurdly detailed. Like, in a cool way.....but it would take me ages to do anything.

[M-A-G]

Raw: April 9, 2040

We open with the winner of the Beat the Clock challenge and the man who will face Noah Carmichael for the Unified World Title at Backlash, Haven. Before we even hear from him, however, Noah Carmichael himself busts onto the scene and joins Haven in the ring. He asks for everyone's forgiveness but he spent all of last week sitting back watching everyone stumble over themselves and waiting to see who would become the number one contender so he's a little antsy and eager to jump back into the thick of things. He tells Haven that this has been a long time coming between the two of them. From the days of the City Slickers versus the Order, to the merger between the two factions that Carmichael wanted no part of (by the way, how'd that work out for you, Haven), to last year's WrestleMania, to somehow the two of us becoming the tag team champions, and then not too long ago when Haven screwed things up in a match where they were teammates. Carmichael declares that he never swallowed what Haven sells and that hasn't changed. Hike up your big boy pants, Haven, because the only way you're getting to that holy land you're always talking about is through Carmichael.

Haven steps up to Carmichael and tells him that the two of them are in complete agreement on that last point but wants to make it clear that when it comes to Carmichael, it won't be so much a holy land as hell on Earth. "Pray for your soul, Carmichael...I won't." We go to break with the two competitors in a stand-off.

First Match: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs Doug Michaels
Driven DDT by Doug Michaels. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Demiras is down. There's a two count on the pin. Demiras backdrops Doug Michaels out of a piledriver attempt. Demiras hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Driven DDT by Jordan Demiras. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Hooks the leg for a two count. DDT from the top rope by Jordan Demiras. That looked brutal. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Jordan Demiras hits a rolling kick on Michaels. Demiras drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Driven full nelson slam on Demiras. Cover for a two count. Demiras walks into a face-first flapjack. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Bodyslam by Michaels. Demiras gets slammed. Demiras counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Jordan Demiras hits a rolling kick on Michaels. Vicious kick to the teeth from Jordan Demiras. Akira Maeda would be proud. Jordan Demiras floors Doug Michaels...and climbs the turnbuckles. Through the air, Axe Kick! Michael Hotbody quickly comes running down the aisle and into the ring! He heads over to the timekeeper's table and picks up the Cruiserweight championship belt and poses with it and shows it off to the crowd with delight on his face. He proceeds to walk around the ringside area continuing his nonsense and eventually begins to make his way back up the ramp with the belt. Demiras finally notices this and rolls to the outside to give chase. The minute he grabs Hotbody from behind however, Hotbody quickly spins around thrusting the belt into the face of Demiras. He barely seems to register this, however, and still poses and plays to the crowd smiling and continues on his way to the back. The referee calls for the DQ because of the interference of Hotbody! Good **** rating. 90% overall.

Second Match: Jenna Kyle and Naomi Bailey vs Faith Connors and Phoebe Hanson
Spinning back kick from Jenna Kyle. Big backdrop on Phoebe, executed well. Cover for a two count. Tag between Jenna Kyle and Naomi Bailey. Jenna Kyle scoops up Phoebe. Bailey bounces off the ropes and hits a flying Hart Attack clothesline. Cover for a two count. Bodyslam by Bailey. Phoebe Hanson takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Big piledriver on Bailey. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Faith Connors. Spine shattering vicious back suplex! Naomi Bailey got absolutely creamed. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Flying elbow from Faith Connors. Bailey blocks a kick from Faith Connors. Fallaway slam by Naomi Bailey. Bailey tags out to Jenna Kyle. Faith takes a headbutt from Jenna Kyle. Tag between Faith Connors and Phoebe Hanson. Second rope flying axe handle, Phoebe goes down. Phoebe Hanson is in trouble. Kyle Driver! 1....2....3. A ****1\2 rating for a great match. 95% overall

Brooke is backstage with Salvatore Scabbia. Brooke talked trash about Kyle Jacobs, continuing the feud with Salvatore Scabbia. They'll be watching his match tonight and also announce that Scabbia wants his Intercontinental Title match at Backlash.

Third Match: Gavin Jones vs Justin Mitchell :
We are informed that The Play Pals, as per the promise of Lisa Benton, will be granted an opportunity at the Unified Tag Team Titles. So at Backlash, the champions, The Future Foundation will defend against The Dillingers, The Academy, and the Play Pals in a Fatal Four Way match. Now onto the match involving two of those men.

Double arm suplex by Justin Mitchell, Jones hits hard. Jones blocks a kick from Justin Mitchell. Mitchell gets slammed. Justin Mitchell charges, Jones moves, and the referee is conveniently placed to get knocked out. Springboard dropkick from Gavin Jones. Nicely done. Cover, but there's no one to count for Gavin Jones. Mitchell blocks the suplex attempt. Big dropkick by Justin Mitchell, who got good elevation. Gutwrench into a stomach breaker, Jones may be winded. There's a two count on the pin. Devastating Tiger Driver 91 very nearly crushes the neck of Jones. Misawa is probably laughing with glee at the moment. Pin, but Jones is out just before the three count. Jones kicks Justin Mitchell in the gut to reverse the momentum. Jones crushes Mitchell with a running senton. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Mitchell blocks the suplex attempt. Randy Ellis comes running down the aisle and into the ring! Gavin Jones turns around.... Today's Lesson!!! That shook the ring. The Didact leaves the ring, the damage done! Pin : 1 - 2- 3. Mitchell defeats Jones. The Academy are beating down on Gavin Jones! The music of Michael Haywood hits, and he comes running down the aisle into the ring. Mitchell and The Didact bail out of the ring, leaving Gavin Jones down in the ring. Michael Haywood may have saved Gavin Jones from a brutal beating. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall

Fourth Match: Hannah McCormick vs Jamie Roderick
Jamie Roderick scores with a back heel kick on McCormick. McCormick kicks Jamie Roderick in the gut to reverse the momentum. Hannah McCormick scores with a back heel kick on Roderick. Hannah McCormick misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee by mistake. Springboard dropkick from Hannah McCormick. Nicely done. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Roderick backdrops Hannah McCormick out of a piledriver attempt. Roderick uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Roderick crushes McCormick with a running senton. Cover for a two count. Double Arm DDT by Roderick, McCormick got destroyed. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. McCormick blocks the suplex attempt. Vicious lightning kick by McCormick on Roderick. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Jamie Roderick ducks a clothesline attempt. Jamie Roderick has Hannah McCormick down on the canvas. Roderick Legacy!!! Hannah McCormick taps out! A **** rating for a good contest. 90% overall

Martyn LaSalle comes down to the ring to officially announce his match against Quentin McDaniels at Backlash. A deal is a deal, he says, and McDaniels, unfortunately was not the man to win Beat the Clock. Now the two of them get to conclude some unfinished business. But how to conclude it? There are a lot of wonderful choices out there for what kind of match this should be and LaSalle has given it a lot of thought but...

...Oops, no time for that as Quentin McDaniels himself interrupts and comes down to join the festivities. McDaniels asks if during all of that thinking LaSalle did, did it finally dawn on LaSalle that everything that has happened between the two of them is all his fault and that he needs to let it go. So the two of them were teammates and McDaniels decided to throw you out of the Rumble without a second thought; CRY US ANOTHER RIVER! LaSalle should be considered lucky he was even considered to be Quentin's replacement partner that he needs to just give up on all of this. LaSalle interjects and says that it's funny that Quentin should use the term 'give up' because it's quite appropos for the kind of match they're going to have. At Backlash, the two of them will compete IN AN I QUIT MATCH! McDaniels may have betrayed LaSalle, humilated him, and even beat him, but he still hasn't broken him. Who knows? It may turn out to be even more embarrassing than losing in the main event of WrestleMania! This triggers McDaniels to the point of slapping the taste out of LaSalle's mouth and we have a brawl on our hands! McDaniels manages to get the upper hand though after a low blow and dings up LaSalle's arm by ramming into the ringpost. He walks off leaving LaSalle down.

Fifth Match: Seth Von Kamp and the Dillingers vs Moses McKay and the WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation
Standing leg lariat by Seth Von Kamp on McKay. Hard back suplex on McKay. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Tag between Seth Von Kamp and Joey Dillinger. Bodyslam by Joey. Ring-shaking slam on McKay. Hooks the leg for a two count. Joey tags out to Ben Dillinger. The Dillingers whip McKay into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. McKay tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. McKay backdrops Ben Dillinger out of a piledriver attempt. Big backdrop on Dillinger, executed well. McKay tags out to Julian Merrick. Rude Awakening on Ben Dillinger by Merrick. Merrick pulls a jumping piledriver out! Hooks the leg for a close fall. Rude Awakening on Ben Dillinger by Merrick. Tag between Julian Merrick and Rick Hilton. Rick Hilton hits some punches. Rude Awakening on Ben Dillinger by Hilton. Dillinger counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Dillinger tags out to Seth Von Kamp. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Tag between Rick Hilton and Moses McKay. Moses McKay strikes Von Kamp. Seth Von Kamp elbows Moses McKay in the face to break a hammerlock. Seth Von Kamp moves in for the kill. Collapse of Society!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Sixth Match: Kyle Jacobs vs Steve Hayes
Brandon Reigns comes down to ringside to observe and his manager, Jake Connelly, joins the announce booth and uses the time to put over Reigns and how the two of them feel that Reigns is owed another chance at the Intercontinental Title. Jacobs bodyslams Steve Hayes. Hayes powers out of a headlock. Dropkick connects, Jacobs goes down. Steve Hayes misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee by mistake. Diamond Dust from Steve Hayes, Jacobs is out. Pinfall attempt, but the ref is conveniently laid out. Jacobs reverses a Steve Hayes hammerlock. Flying shoulder tackle by Jacobs sends Hayes to the mat. Ring-shaking slam on Hayes. Hooks the leg for a two count. Belly to back suicideplex, Hayes got folded up big time. Pin, but Hayes is out just before the three count. Steve Hayes ducks a clothesline attempt. Super frankensteiner on Jacobs, who hit hard. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Jacobs reverses a Steve Hayes hammerlock. Steve Hayes can barely stand. Spinning Fallaway! 1....2....3. A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall Jacobs and Reigns stare each other down.

A video is played, hyping the upcoming debut of Hugo.

MAIN EVENT: Haven and Ryan Pattillo vs Xavier Cross and Chris Collins
We're told that at Backlash Ryan Pattillo and Chris Collins will have a rematch. Noah Carmichael is in the back watching things unfold. Cross takes a headbutt from Haven. Haven uses a basement dropkick to the knee. There's a two count on the pin. Haven tags out to Ryan Pattillo. Haven \ Pattillo whip Cross into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. There's a two count on the pin. Ryan Pattillo with a spinning neckbreaker on Cross. Pattillo walks into a trip. Super frankensteiner on Pattillo, who hit hard. Cover for a two count. Cross tags out to Chris Collins. Collins crushes Pattillo with a sweet running senton. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Flying elbow from Chris Collins. Pattillo drops out the back of a Chris Collins bodyslam attempt. Hard back suplex on Collins. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Tag to Haven. Haven bodyslams Chris Collins. Collins tags out to Xavier Cross. Running knee lift from Haven. Xavier Cross can barely stand. Sting of Solace!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall. Haven is gaining some momentum as he looks forward to Backlash.

Overall show rating: 85%

Current card for Backlash:
WWE Unified World Title: Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven

WWE Unified Tag Team Title: The Future Foundation (c) vs. The Academy vs. The Play Pals vs. The Dillingers

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody

WWE Intercontinental Title: Kyle Jacobs (c) vs. Salvatore Scabbia

Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins

Quentin McDaniels vs. Martyn LaSalle

[Evil Vito]

Seth Von Kamp is another great name.

[M-A-G]

I forgot to talk about one other rule that I have in place for the promotion that affects my booking decisions. If a champion has three consecutive title matches, or any three title matches within a 90-day period, whichever occurs first, end in a draw or a countout or DQ loss for the champion, the title is stripped and declared vacant. I've only put it into action on one occasion but it's something that I keep in the back of my head.

[Evil Vito]

That’s a low key brilliant idea that helps explain the plot hole of why heel champions don’t just take the easy way out every time.

[M-A-G]

Superstars: April 12, 2040

Going to use this show as a way to mainly showcase people I haven't been using too often these last few shows.

Opening Match: Alexander Piero vs Tom Foley
Piero hits a right hand. Foley takes a headbutt from Alexander Piero. Flying shoulder tackle by Piero sends Foley to the mat. Piero slams Tom Foley down. Tom Foley comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Back elbow connects, Piero staggers backward. Piero walks into a spike slam. There's a two count on the pin. Piero counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Foley gets hit with a huge clothesline. Hooks the leg for a two count. Lifting DDT by Alexander Piero, executed well. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Tom Foley comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Tom Foley uses a forearm to the face. Piero kicks Tom Foley in the gut to reverse the momentum. Rude Awakening on Tom Foley by Piero. Tom Foley can barely stand. Flashpoint! 1....2....3. This one gets a ***1\4 rating, it was a good bout. 82% overall. Piero keeps getting more over.

Second Match: The Young Bloods (Matt Riley and Sully Lane) vs The Wasteland (Duke and Drakken)
Duke receives some punishment. Riley slams Duke down. Cover for a two count. Tag between Matt Riley and Sully Lane. The Young Bloods whip Duke into the corner. Matt Riley whips Sully Lane in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Cover for a two count. Sully Lane with a spinning neckbreaker on Duke. Duke kicks Sully Lane in the gut to reverse the momentum. Lightning kick by Duke on Sully. Cover for a two count. Tag to Drakken. Super kick by Drakken. Pin, but Sully is out just before the three count. Drakken hits a dropkick on Sully Lane. Sully blocks the suplex attempt. Drakken takes a butterfly suplex from Sully. Tag between Sully Lane and Matt Riley. Drakken takes a headbutt from Matt Riley. Tag between Drakken and Duke. Riley slams Duke down. Stephan Q. Sterling has climbed up onto the apron! Duke turns...and falls for the distraction! Matt Riley attacks Duke from behind! Duke can barely stand. Full Nelson Slam! 1....2....3. A ****1\4 rating, great bout. 93% overall

Backstage, Haven has words...not for his opponent at Backlash, Noah Carmichael, but rather Xavier Cross. He warns Cross to not continue being an impediment. Cross's day of retribution may be postponed but not canceled.

Third Match: Blaine Bellamey vs Corey Mattis
An extension of the Wyldhearts/Agents of Change feud. BB hits a right hand. Blaine Bellamey misses a clothesline. Corey Mattis fires off some right and left hands. BB reverses an irish whip...and Corey Mattis runs into the referee. Brutal seated powerbomb on BB. Pinfall attempt, but the ref is conveniently laid out. Mattis walks into a trip. Flying elbow from Blaine Bellamey. Vicious lightning kick by BB on Mattis. Hooks the leg for a two count. Blaine Bellamey drills Corey Mattis with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Blaine Bellamey misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Mattis. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Corey Mattis gets taken down out of nowhere. Clayton North comes running down the aisle with a chair! Mattis and Blaine Bellamey continue fighting, unaware of the intrusion. Clayton North slides in and prepares to swing the chair...but Blaine Bellamey moves! North accidentally blasts Mattis with a chair to the head! Blaine Bellamey throws North out of the ring! Blaine Bellamey floors Corey Mattis...and climbs the turnbuckles. Through the air, Flying Legdrop! 1....2....3. Agents of Change are beating down on Blaine Bellamey! The music of Robbie Greer hits, and he comes running down the aisle into the ring. Mattis and North bail out of the ring, leaving Blaine Bellamey down in the ring. Robbie Greer may have saved Blaine Bellamey from a brutal beating. Good **** rating. 88% overall.

Fourth Match: Faith Connors vs Cordelia
Dropkick connects, Cordelia goes down. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Faith Connors uses a forearm to the face. Stun Gun from Faith Connors! There used to be this blonde guy in WCW in the early 90's who used that...i wonder what happened to him? Vertical suplex by Faith Connors. Cordelia comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Big backdrop on Faith, executed well. Faith gets hit with a huge clothesline. Hooks the leg for a two count. Faith kicks Cordelia in the gut to reverse the momentum. Powerful Spear by Faith Connors. Cover for a two count. Belly to back suicideplex, Cordelia got folded up big time. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Cordelia backdrops Faith Connors out of a piledriver attempt. Stiff chop lights up Faith. Faith Connors takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Spin kick by Faith Connors to the face. Cordelia can barely stand. Here it comes - CRISIS OF FAITH!!!. 1....2...3, it's finished. Good **** rating. 90% overall.

Video package showcasing the soon-to-debut Hugo.

Fifth Match: Ronnie Costello and Carmella Costello vs. Raymond Delaney and Frankie
Big clothesline on CiCi. Super kick by Raymond Delaney. Cover for a two count. Tag to Frankie. Frankie \ Delaney whip CiCi into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Frankie slams Carmella Costello down. Hooks the leg for a two count. Frankie strikes CiCi. CiCi pushes out of a Frankie hold. Slingshot senton by CiCi, crushing the chest of Frankie. Tag to Ronnie Costello. Frankie takes a flying neckbreaker from Ronnie Costello. Super kick by Ronnie Costello. Costello only gets knees on a splash. Frankie tags out to Raymond Delaney. Raymond Delaney hits a bulldog off the ropes. Costello walks into a face-first flapjack. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Raymond Delaney fires off some right and left hands. Costello counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Costello. Ronnie Costello gets a roll-up...and grabs a handful of tights as well! The referee doesn't see it: 1....2...3!! Almost got a **** match, but was lacking in certain areas, so i'm knocking off half a star, so it gets a ***1\2 rating. 85% overall.

Sixth Match: L.A. Xander vs. Ozzy Mandias
Bodyslam by LAX. Tiger bomb by L.A. Xander, executed perfectly. There's a two count on the pin. Oz drops out the back of a L.A. Xander bodyslam attempt. Stiff high kick on LAX by Ozzy Mandias who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. LAX takes a flying neckbreaker from Ozzy Mandias. Hooks the leg for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Ozzy Mandias. Nicely done. Pin, but LAX is out just before the three count. Hard back suplex on LAX. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? LAX drops out the back of a Ozzy Mandias bodyslam attempt. Spinebuster by L.A. Xander, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Slingshot senton by LAX, crushing the chest of Oz. Pin, but Oz is out just before the three count. Second rope flying axe handle, Oz goes down. Stiff high kick on Oz by L.A. Xander who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Oz counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Flying elbow from Ozzy Mandias. Tiger suplex on LAX, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Romeo Valiente runs down the aisle and into the ring, carrying a chair! Oz turns...and gets floored with a chair to the head! The referee has no choice but to call for the bell! Disqualification! Romeo Valiente obviously hasn't finished his attack yet! Ozzy Mandias stands up...and gets floored! Romeo Valiente climbs the turnbuckles. Off the top - Casanova Crush!!! Romeo Valiente eventually leaves, having caused enough damage. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Moses McKay joins us in the ring. He claims to not be impressed by Seth Von Kamp. It wasn't too long ago when Von Kamp couldn't rise up to the challenge and face the pressure of beating McKay in Beat the Clock. Von Kamp also had to rely on allies to get a hollow victory. And perhaps most of all, Von Kamp just can't seem to get past the scars of Money in the Bank. Von Kamp is a whiner living in perpetual victimhood. Why do you think he's never won any singles title in his entire career? McKay is light years ahead of a lost cause like Von Kamp and has no regrets over messing up his face at WrestleMania. In fact, if Von Kamp were here right now, McKay would bust him up all over again!

Cue Seth Von Kamp running down the ramp and entering the ring. McKay must have something on the stove, however, as he chooses to bail and head to the back.

Seventh Match: Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones vs. The Tokyo Titans (Tokyo Kid and Wu)
Michael Hotbody scores with a back heel kick on Wu. Fallaway slam by Michael Hotbody. Hooks the leg for a two count. Hotbody tags out to Zed Jones. Hotbody \ Jones whip Wu into the corner. Michael Hotbody whips Zed Jones in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Hooks the leg for a two count. Jones slams Wu down. Wu counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Driven full nelson slam on Jones. Hooks the leg for a two count. Wu tags out to Tokyo Kid. Spinebuster by Tokyo Kid, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Pin, but Jones is out just before the three count. Fallaway slam by Tokyo Kid. Jones pushes out of a Tokyo Kid hold. Big backdrop on Tokyo, executed well. Jones tags out to Michael Hotbody. Hotbody hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Tokyo tags out to Wu. Driven DDT by Michael Hotbody. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Wu hooks up a suplex, but it is blocked. Hotbody scores with a low blow, then turns it into a small package! The referee didn't see the illegal blow! 1...2...3! Wu got screwed out of the victory! Good **** rating. 90% overall.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs vs. King Kavovit
Hard back suplex on Jacobs. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Vicious lightning kick by Kavovit on Jacobs. Hooks the leg for a two count. Jacobs reverses a King Kavovit hammerlock. Kyle Jacobs fires off some right and left hands. Kyle Jacobs with a spinning neckbreaker on Kavovit. Cover for a two count. Jacobs pulls a jumping piledriver out! Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Kyle Jacobs with a spinning neckbreaker on Kavovit. Kavovit reverses a Kyle Jacobs hammerlock. Vicious lightning kick by Kavovit on Jacobs. Cover for a two count. Diamond Dust from King Kavovit, Jacobs is out. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Kavovit slams Kyle Jacobs down. King Kavovit strikes Jacobs. Jacobs reverses a King Kavovit hammerlock. Big dropkick by Kyle Jacobs, who got good elevation. Emerald Fusion by Kyle Jacobs on Kavovit. King Kavovit is in trouble. Spinning Fallaway!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! Salvatore Scabbia comes running down the aisle with a chair! Kyle Jacobs is just leaving the ring...and Big Sal scores with a brutal chair shot! Kyle Jacobs falls to the floor holding his head. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Overall show rating: 85%

[Evil Vito]

Good stuff. Is King Kavovit meant to be his name proper or did he win the King of the Ring one year and let it get to his head?

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: April 13, 2040

We open with Faith Connors joining us in the ring. She brings up that there's been a lot of talk and wondering over what she plans on doing with her favor afforded to her by Lisa Benton. She wants to make it known that in time she will deal with both Naomi Bailey and Jenna Kyle but that she would prefer to do it as the WWE Women's Champion. So with that said...

...EVERYONE SLOW THEIR ROLE!!! The Women's Champion herself, Sonya Braddock, comes down and gets face to face with Faith. Sonya suggests that Faith shouldn't get too ahead of herself with her hopes and ideas. Last time anyone checked, Sonya Braddock is the main woman of the company and that's not changing anytime soon. Faith brings up how this whole scenario seems a bit familiar. If Faith recalls correctly, she capped off an incredible first year by unseating a woman who not only was the talk of the town but the Women's Champion as well. Oh, that's right, that woman was Sonya Braddock and it sent shockwaves throughout the entire WWE. History has a way of repeating itself when you continue to make the same mistakes. Faith then asks Sonya to allow her to finish her thought and make things official. Faith Connors will indeed be challenging Sonya Braddock for the Women's Title at Backlash. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can get in line and take it up with her after she takes the title home. Braddock objects to this and declares that they'll have to take it up with whatever's left. The segment ends with the two women staring each other down.

Meanwhile, Alexander Piero wants to inform us all about how he has been scouted and contacted by someone who wants to offer their managerial services. With that said, he welcomes Madison to his side and she claims that she knows a winner when she sees one.

First Match: Salvatore Scabbia, Ronnie Costello, The Academy vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs, Raymond Delaney, The Play Pals
This sort of all of Brooke's horses on one team here. Standing leg lariat by Raymond Delaney on Mitchell. Big backdrop on Mitchell, executed well. Tag between Raymond Delaney and Kyle Jacobs. Mitchell receives some punishment. Tag between Justin Mitchell and Randy Ellis. Jacobs slams Randy Ellis. Jacobs tags out to Gavin Jones. Jacobs \ Jones whip The Didact into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Gavin Jones and Michael Haywood. Hard back suplex on The Didact. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Rage King crushes The Didact with a running senton. Tag to Raymond Delaney. Death valley driver by Raymond Delaney, Randy Ellis got planted. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Randy Ellis reverses a hip toss. Tag between Randy Ellis and Salvatore Scabbia. Driven DDT by Salvatore Scabbia. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Big Sal. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Ronnie Costello. Big Sal \ Costello whip Delaney into the corner. Salvatore Scabbia whips Ronnie Costello in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Cover for a two count. Diamond Dust from Ronnie Costello, Jacobs is out. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Jacobs kicks Ronnie Costello in the gut to reverse the momentum. Kyle Jacobs with a spinning neckbreaker on Costello. Jacobs tags out to Michael Haywood. Super kick by Michael Haywood. Costello blocks a punch. Costello tags out to Salvatore Scabbia. Costello \ Big Sal hook up Rage King, then hit a double suplex. Back heel kick off the second rope, Rage King goes down. Brooke has climbed up onto the apron! Rage King turns...and falls for the distraction! Salvatore Scabbia attacks Rage King from behind! Salvatore Scabbia has Michael Haywood down on the canvas. Michael Haywood gets locked in the Omerta! Submission victory! Good **** rating. 88% overall.

Second Match: Hannah McCormick vs. Phoebe Hanson
Kick from Hannah McCormick to the leg. Kick from Hannah McCormick to the leg. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Flying elbow from Hannah McCormick. Hannah McCormick misses a clothesline. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Massive backbreaker, McCormick got nailed. There's a two count on the pin. McCormick reverses a Phoebe Hanson hammerlock. Springboard reverse elbow by Hannah McCormick. Excellent move. There's a two count on the pin. Slingshot senton by McCormick, crushing the chest of Phoebe. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Phoebe counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Phoebe hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Phoebe drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Phoebe takes a flying neckbreaker from Hannah McCormick. We have our mandatory ref bump, as he goes down after accidentally getting caught by an elbow to the face. Phoebe Hanson floors McCormick, then signals for the Stardust. Meanwhile, Hannah McCormick has something in her hands. Phoebe comes over...and gets nailed with a set of brass knuckles! The referee wakes up to see the pinfall: 1....2....3! It's over. Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 93% overall.

Backstage, Billie Padgett walks in on Tania who was watching the last match. Padgett wants Tania to not feel lost in the shuffle with the way the women's division is going down right now. There are ways to remedy that, Padgett proclaims. Tania rolls her eyes and points out that Padgett may be right but one of those ways certainly can't be being involved with someone like Padgett. Tania demands that Padgett get the hell out.

Meanwhile, Jordan Demiras is backstage on the hunt for Michael Hotbody and the cruiserweight title belt. He's directed towards the parking area and sure enough Hotbody is there trying to appeal to Jordan and claiming he had wanted to return the belt a long time ago. Jordan isn't hearing any of it and makes a beeline towards Hotbody but before he can reach him Zed Jones cuts him off out of nowhere. Jordan Demiras gets beaten down and Hotbody has Jones slam a car door on the champion. He does find the time to leave behind the belt.

Third Match: The WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation vs. Mean & Greene
Big clothesline on Merrick. Massive backbreaker, Merrick got nailed. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag to Lonny Richards. Mean & Greene whip Merrick into the corner. Lonny Richards whips Caleb Greene in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Back elbow connects, Merrick staggers backward. Cover for a two count. Lonny Richards hits some punches. Julian Merrick avoids a Lonny Richards avalanche. Double Arm DDT by Merrick, Lonny got destroyed. Tag between Julian Merrick and Rick Hilton. Big backdrop on Lonny, executed well. Rick Hilton hits a bulldog off the ropes. Lonny drops out the back of a Rick Hilton bodyslam attempt. Tag to Caleb Greene. Hilton gets hit with a huge clothesline. Burning Hammer Drop from Caleb Greene, executed with perfect brutally. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Hilton takes a headbutt from Caleb Greene. Rick Hilton ducks a clothesline attempt. Ring-shaking slam on Caleb. Vivian Merrick is at ringside! Caleb wastes valuable time by yelling at Vivian! Rick Hilton takes advantage of the distraction and nails Caleb from behind! Rick Hilton moves in for the kill. Check Out Time! 1....2....3. Lonny and Caleb remain in the ring. They are arguing about that defeat. Lonny Richards walks off without saying anything, much to the disgust of Caleb. I'm slapping a ****1\4 rating on this. 92% overall

Backstage, Xavier Cross takes issue with the warning that Haven gave on Superstars. However, he does mention the line of not being an impediment and says that it gives him an idea.

Fourth Match: Brandon Reigns vs. Stone Walsh
Stone Walsh snap suplexes Reigns...with authority! ('With authority', trademark G.Monsoon 1986.) Powerful Spear by Stone Walsh. Hooks the leg for a two count. Brandon Reigns pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Reigns hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Hard back suplex on Walsh. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Cover for a two count. Shining Wizard on Walsh, Reigns really laid that one in. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Big backdrop on Walsh, executed well. Brandon Reigns misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Driven full nelson slam on Reigns. There's a two count on the pin. Diamond Dust from Stone Walsh, Reigns is out. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Bodyslam by Walsh. Standing leg lariat by Stone Walsh on Reigns. Reigns counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Running knee lift from Brandon Reigns. Back heel kick off the second rope, Walsh goes flying. Brandon Reigns has Stone Walsh down on the canvas. Stone Walsh gets locked in the Iron Reign! Submission victory! A **** rating for a good contest. 87% overall.

Fifth Match: Jenna Kyle and Naomi Bailey vs. Jamie Roderick and Missy Brantley
Naomi Bailey fires off some right and left hands. Running knee lift from Naomi Bailey. Hooks the leg for a two count. Bailey tags out to Jenna Kyle. Bailey \ Jenna hook up Missy, then hit a double suplex. Hooks the leg for a two count. Missy takes a flying neckbreaker from Jenna Kyle. Missy Brantley elbows Jenna Kyle in the face to break a hammerlock. Ring-shaking slam on Jenna. Hooks the leg for a two count. Missy tags out to Jamie Roderick. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Roderick. Pin, but Jenna is out just before the three count. Jenna takes a flying neckbreaker from Jamie Roderick. Jenna Kyle fights out of a grapple. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Bailey tags herself in and shoves Jenna aside. Bailey slams Jamie Roderick. Roderick tags out to Missy Brantley. Fallaway slam by Naomi Bailey. Naomi Bailey moves in for the kill. Bail Out! 1....2....3. A ****1\4 rating, great bout. 92% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Ryan Pattillo vs. Moses McKay
Pattillo hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Ryan Pattillo scores with a back heel kick on McKay. Flying elbow from Ryan Pattillo. Ryan Pattillo with a spinning neckbreaker on McKay. McKay backdrops Ryan Pattillo out of a piledriver attempt. Flying shoulder tackle by McKay sends Pattillo to the mat. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Pattillo is down. Hooks the leg for a two count. Ryan Pattillo avoids a Moses McKay avalanche. Vicious lightning kick by Pattillo on McKay. There's a two count on the pin. DDT from the top rope by Ryan Pattillo. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Ryan Pattillo gets taken down out of nowhere. Moses McKay strikes Pattillo. Pattillo kicks Moses McKay in the gut to reverse the momentum. Flying shoulder tackle by Pattillo sends McKay to the mat. Ryan Pattillo signals for the Nadowa Slam! Chris Collins comes out of the crowd and into the ring! Ryan Pattillo turns around....Fall From Heaven!!! That shook the ring. The referee calls for the DQ because of the interference of Collins! McKay \ Collins are beating down on Ryan Pattillo! The music of Seth Von Kamp hits, and he comes running down the aisle into the ring. McKay and Collins bail out of the ring, leaving Ryan Pattillo down in the ring. Seth Von Kamp may have saved Ryan Pattillo from a brutal beating. Good **** rating. 90% overall.

Overall show rating: 87%

[M-A-G]

Good stuff. Is King Kavovit meant to be his name proper or did he win the King of the Ring one year and let it get to his head?

It was just the name given. I never got around to changing it to something I liked but I just figured, "Fuck it. Go with it. Make him an entitled sack of crap."

[M-A-G]

Updated Backlash 2040 card:

WWE Unified World Title: Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven

WWE Unified Tag Team Title: The Future Foundation (c) vs. The Academy vs. The Play Pals vs. The Dillingers

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody

WWE Intercontinental Title: Kyle Jacobs (c) vs. Salvatore Scabbia

WWE Women's Title: Sonya Braddock (c) vs. Faith Connors

Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins

I Quit Match: Quentin McDaniels vs. Martyn LaSalle

[Evil Vito]

https://i.imgur.com/eBE21mm.jpg

[M-A-G]

https://i.imgur.com/eBE21mm.jpg

There's room for one more match. 2 if you count the pre-show. I'm not sure what I'll do for that but I definitely know the last match for the PPV. It's not that important. We all know Braddock draws all the monies. More accurately, Braddock killing bitches dead draws all the monies.

[M-A-G]

Raw: April 16, 2040

We begin with the Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael joining us in the ring. He brings up how we're only 13 days away from witnessing the date with destiny between Carmichael and Haven. Haven loves to make things so dramatic so Carmichaels figures he should lay it on pretty thick for his sake. That's as far as the generosity goes, however, because there's a lot more than pretty words and posturing on the line when it comes to Backlash. This championship that Carmichael wears represents the culmination of every frustrating endeavor he had to endure. Carmichael wasn't interested in staying the back seat to guys like Butch Fleming and certainly not to Haven. The date with destiny has an unfortunate ending for Haven.

Nathan Quinn decides to interrupt the festivities after being gone for a while. He points out how eager he's been to return to action and that he was disappointed to see Carmichael running his mouth out here. Quinn offers a remedy and demands a match right now! Carmichael is down with that shit and away we go!

First Match: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael vs. Nathan Quinn
Quinn uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Ring-shaking slam on Wildcard. Cover for a two count. Noah Carmichael takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Stiff chop lights up Quinn. Rude Awakening on Nathan Quinn by Wildcard. There's a two count on the pin. Flying spear out of the corner! Quinn nearly got snapped in two. Pin, but Quinn is out just before the three count. Back elbow connects, Quinn staggers backward. Quinn drops out the back of a Noah Carmichael bodyslam attempt. Doctor Bomb, Wildcard is hurt. Hooks the leg for a two count. Blind lariat by Quinn, Wildcard never saw it coming until it was too late. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Quinn slams Noah Carmichael down. Nathan Quinn snap suplexes Wildcard. Wildcard reverses a waistlock. Big dropkick by Noah Carmichael, who got good elevation. Quinn walks into a face-first flapjack. Noah Carmichael moves in for the kill. Quick Draw1! 1....2....3. Good **** rating. 90% overall.

Second Match: Jason Sorola vs. Seth Von Kamp
We're being told that Lisa Benton has been asked by Von Kamp to book a match against Moses McKay at Backlash. We'll see what comes of that.Von Kamp gets caught with a short powerbomb from Sorola. Von Kamp gets rocked with a brutal elbow to the jaw by Sorola. There's a two count on the pin. Von Kamp counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Seth Von Kamp scores with a back heel kick on Sorola. Hard back suplex on Sorola. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Hooks the leg for a two count. Sorola walks into a face crusher variation. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Jason Sorola reverses a hip toss. Vicious snap suplex! Seth Von Kamp got whipped over hard. Cover for a two count. DDT from the top rope by Jason Sorola. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Von Kamp tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. Dropkick connects, Von Kamp goes down. Seth Von Kamp avoids a Jason Sorola avalanche. Second rope flying axe handle, Sorola goes down. Power drive elbow by Seth Von Kamp. Jason Sorolatakes a nasty tumble from the top to the outside after a shove from Seth Von Kamp! The referee count to ten, then calls for the bell. Sorola gets counted out. Moses McKay comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! Von Kamp turns around...straight into a Mass Effect!! Seth Von Kamp has been left down on the canvas. McKay has the mic! McKay accepts the challenge issued by Seth but demands that the match be a First Blood match. That was good. **** rating. 89% overall.

Backstage Brooke with two of her clients, the Academy. She's been in contact with Jake Connelly about how Brandon Reigns deserves a shot at the Intercontinental Title in addition to Salvatore Scabbia. She brings up the main event tonight. If Brandon Reigns can beat the Academy, she'll agree to Reigns being added to the Intercontinental Title match. She's not without mercy, though. Reigns' partner with be none other than the champion himself, Kyle Jacobs.

Third Match: The Sin City Rollers (Luis Ortega and Vic Gambler) vs. The Dillingers
Stiff high kick on Gambler by Ben Dillinger who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Ben Dillinger with a spinning neckbreaker on Gambler. Cover for a two count. Tag between Ben Dillinger and Joey Dillinger. The Dillingers whip Gambler into the corner. Ben Dillinger whips Joey Dillinger in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Hooks the leg for a two count. Joey slams Vic Gambler down. Gambler pushes out of a Joey Dillinger hold. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Tag to Luis Ortega. Ring-shaking slam on Joey. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Big clothesline on Joey. Joey pushes out of a Luis Ortega hold. Ortega tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. Joey tags out to Ben Dillinger. Ben Dillinger strikes Ortega. Tag to Vic Gambler. Big clothesline on Gambler. Ben Dillinger has Vic Gambler down on the canvas and is ascending the corner. Off the top - Frog Splash, forget about it. 1....2...3! This was missing something, so it only gets a ****1\2 rating. 96% overall

Fourth Match: Tania vs. Billie Padgett
Standing leg lariat by Billie Padgett on Tania. Spinning back kick from Billie Padgett. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Spin kick by Billie Padgett to the face. Tania counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Big clothesline on Billie. Lightning kick by Tania on Billie. Hooks the leg for a two count. Billie backdrops Tania out of a piledriver attempt. Billie crushes Tania with a sweet running senton. Cover for a two count. Shining Wizard on Tania, Billie really laid that one in. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Tania powers out of a headlock. Tania hits a right hand. Billie blocks a kick from Tania. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Tania hooks up a suplex, but Billie flips out and lands on her feet, and quickly grabs the tights to score with a school boy pin! 1...2..3! The referee somehow missed the blatant cheating! A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall.

Sonya Braddock comes out to talk about her title match against Faith Connors at Backlash. Connors wanted to talk about mistakes back on SmackDown! which is ironic considering using her favor to get a match with the champion was probably the worst mistake anyone could have made. Braddock does learn from history and the most important thing she's learned is that the best always prevails. Faith comes out to offer her rebuttal. People may believe that Connors is crazy, what with all the high-flying, death-defying, and stubborn refusal to not back down from someone like Braddock. But there's no reward without risk. That's the lesson she's learned from history. She invites Braddock to do her worst at Backlash.

Fifth Match: The British Infection (Adrian Gallagher and Nate Exley) vs. Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones
Standing leg lariat by Michael Hotbody on A. Gallagh. Fallaway slam by Michael Hotbody. Cover for a two count. Hotbody tags out to Zed Jones. Hotbody \ Jones whip A. Gallagh into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. There's a two count on the pin. Big backdrop on A. Gallagh, executed well. A. Gallagh backdrops Zed Jones out of a piledriver attempt. Vicious lightning kick by A. Gallagh on Jones. Hooks the leg for a two count. A. Gallagh tags out to Nate Exley. Lightning kick by Exley on Jones. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Flying shoulder tackle by Exley sends Jones to the mat. Exley drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Flying shoulder tackle by Jones sends Exley to the mat. Jones tags out to Michael Hotbody. Dropkick connects, Exley goes down. Tag between Nate Exley and Adrian Gallagher. Driven DDT by Michael Hotbody. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Michael Hotbody grapples with Adrian Gallagher, and positions himself so that the referee can't see...and hits a low blow! He rolls up the stunned Adrian Gallagher: 1....2....3!! What a cheap shot! That was good. **** rating. 89% overall

Xavier Cross joins us and wants to let us know about an epiphany he had last week. He invites Haven to come down so that he can share it with him, too, as it is of major interest to the number one contender. Haven indeed shows up and gets in Cross' face. Cross insists that he's not looking to fight but rather extend an offer to Haven. The two of them can fight and fight until it's time to hang it up but Cross asks is it really worth much if there's nothing but broken pride they're fighting over? Wouldn't this mean a lot more to the two of them if something more substantial were at stake? Cross has a solution. He wants to stop being an impediment and start being an ally...for one night only. Haven should let Cross help him become the Unified World Champion at Backlash and in return, Cross should be given a title shot. It's win-win all around for everyone. Well, with the exception of Carmichael but he's irrelevant to what's between Haven and Cross. Plus, Haven already wants to have this big epic confrontation with Cross anyway. All Haven has to do is trust Cross for one night.

Haven ponders this in silence momentarily, glancing at the crowd every so often. He then moves forward to grab Cross by the collar and glares at him. "Cross, I'm going to take you at your word that you're not here for a fight and I hope you take me at my word when I say this: The two us are on a collision course, make no mistake, but it will be on my terms and mine alone. Your offer is an insult and it is rejected. Carmichael's fate will be the same as yours and I hope you watch with despair, faced with the harsh reality of what lies ahead. Ignore me at your own peril."

And with that, Haven releases Cross and takes his leave. Cross remains in the ring looking shaken up.

Sixth Match: Clubber Harris vs. Martyn LaSalle
Clubber Harris hits a rolling kick on LaSalle. Harris crushes LaSalle with a running senton. Hooks the leg for a two count. Martyn LaSalle powers out of a Clubber Harris headlock. LaSalle bodyslams Clubber Harris. Vertical suplex by Martyn LaSalle. There's a two count on the pin. Back heel kick off the second rope, Harris goes down. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Martyn LaSalle hits a rolling kick on Harris. LaSalle walks into a trip. Powerful Spear by Clubber Harris. There's a two count on the pin. DDT from the top rope by Clubber Harris. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Gut buster, LaSalle hits hard. Spinning back kick from Clubber Harris. LaSalle counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Flying elbow from Martyn LaSalle. Tiger suplex on Harris, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Clubber Harris gets whipped into the corner by LaSalle, and flips all the way over to the outside! Harris stays down on the outside, hurt. The referee reaches a ten count, and this one is over. Quinten McDaniels comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! LaSalle turns around...straight into a Belly To Belly!! Martyn LaSalle has been left down on the canvas. Good **** rating. 87% overall.

MAIN EVENT: The Academy (Randy Ellis and Justin Mitchell) vs. Brandon Reigns and WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs
Reigns and Jacobs must win here if Reigns is going to be added to the Intercontinental Title match at Backlash. Kyle Jacobs takes a butterfly suplex from Mitchell. Spine shattering vicious back suplex! Kyle Jacobs got absolutely creamed. There's a two count on the pin. Tag between Justin Mitchell and Randy Ellis. The Academy whip Jacobs into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. Driven DDT by Randy Ellis. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. There's a two count on the pin. Randy Ellis snap suplexes Jacobs. Jacobs ducks a wild right hand. Lifting DDT by Kyle Jacobs, executed well. Jacobs tags out to Brandon Reigns. Flying elbow from Brandon Reigns. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. The Didact counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. The Didact tags out to Justin Mitchell. Spine shattering vicious back suplex! Brandon Reigns got absolutely creamed. Corkscrew brainbuster suplex, Mitchell hit it well. Pin, but Reigns is out just before the three count. Justin Mitchell uses move #193 (arm-BAR). Mitchell drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Reigns pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Justin Mitchell down to the mat. Salvatore Scabbia comes running down the aisle with a chair! Mitchell and Brandon Reigns continue fighting, unaware of the intrusion. Salvatore Scabbia slides in and prepares to swing the chair...but Brandon Reigns moves! Big Sal accidentally blasts Mitchell with a chair to the head! Brandon Reigns throws Big Sal out of the ring! Justin Mitchell gets knocked to the ground by Reigns. Iron Reign!!! Justin Mitchell taps out! Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 93% overall.

Overall show rating: 87%

[M-A-G]

Updated Backlash card. It should be the final one barring any mishaps.

WWE Unified World Title: Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven

WWE Unified Tag Team Title: The Future Foundation (c) vs. The Academy vs. The Play Pals vs. The Dillingers

WWE Cruiserweight Title: Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody

WWE Intercontinental Title: Kyle Jacobs (c) vs. Salvatore Scabbia vs. Brandon Reigns

WWE Women's Title: Sonya Braddock (c) vs. Faith Connors

Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins

I Quit Match: Quentin McDaniels vs. Martyn LaSalle

First Blood Match: Seth Von Kamp vs. Moses McKay

[Evil Vito]

Holy crap clean sweep with 4 stars. M-A-G has created a wrestling utopia.

[M-A-G]

Wasn't wrestling utopia the term we used for being in between AJ Lee's legs?

[Evil Vito]

Downloading files to my PC off of extended storage, my EWR game had 4 previous save files going. Made for a nice trip down memory lane. Particularly a game from 2008 which ended up seeing the three brands being turned into WWE, WCW, and ECW...and man I had some weird stuff going on in those rosters.

My champions:

WWE: MVP
WWE Intercontinental: Shawn Michaels
WWE Tag Team: Elijah Burke and Marcus Cor Von
WWE Women's: Mickie James

WCW World Heavyweight: Chris Jericho
WCW United States: Ace Steel
WCW Tag Team: William Regal and Dave Taylor
WCW Cruiserweight: Rey Mysterio

ECW: CM Punk
ECW Television: Rob Van Dam
ECW Tag Team: Deuce 'n Domino

[Evil Vito]

Also, I had a stupidly overcrowded development system in which probably 20 people had "improved as much as they're going to here", a lot of them had good wrestling stats but awful charisma, so I was waiting to develop some charismatic managerial options before debuting them, and just releasing anyone if their morale got too low.

I had clearly gone through and signed anyone young with decent starting stats. Among them, 19 year old Kazuchika Okada who I almost certainly hadn't heard of at the time. Little did I know he'd end up becoming one of the greatest wrestlers in the world in real life and legit legend status in New Japan.

[M-A-G]

Yikes; putting a belt on Deuce and Domino?

Although I made Test a 5-time World Champion so who am I to talk?

[M-A-G]

Really, though, Deuce did suck royal balls. :o

[M-A-G]

So does looking back at all of your stuff give you the itch to continue perhaps? :)

[Evil Vito]

Yikes; putting a belt on Deuce and Domino?

Although I made Test a 5-time World Champion so who am I to talk?

Everyone has their "boys" where you mark for them irrationally. My first was Big Vito in 2000 era WCW. But then, when I was in my senior year of high school I was working on our production of Grease and then all of a sudden a couple of greasers show up on SmackDown, couldn't help but like them.

Their gimmick required them to basically just be brawlers so when I did my re-draft, I made ECW very brawler heavy so figured that worked.

That said...even in that role, yeah, Deuce was horrendous. London and Kendrick mentioned how much they hated working with him in a shoot. The guy would never bump for them or really sell anything.

Domino at least had a personality and is genuinely hilarious. His story a decade or so ago on Colt Cabana's podcast about his trip to Nigeria with Luke Gallows is probably the funniest wrestling story I've heard.

[Evil Vito]

So does looking back at all of your stuff give you the itch to continue perhaps? :)

Maybe so. I have 4 old games to pick from, but remembering where I was with everything would take some time.

Or I could start clean...that said the only wrestling I watch now is AEW and NJPW, the latter of which can't properly be booked in EWB since it's very tour-heavy where they'll work every day for a month straight.

Suppose I could have some fun with an AEW game, though I know in-game WWE will release half their roster on day one so I'd have to be a bit judicious with that.

[M-A-G]

You had me at Colt Cabana going to Nigeria.

[M-A-G]

Maybe so. I have 4 old games to pick from, but remembering where I was with everything would take some time.

Or I could start clean...that said the only wrestling I watch now is AEW and NJPW, the latter of which can't properly be booked in EWB since it's very tour-heavy where they'll work every day for a month straight.

Suppose I could have some fun with an AEW game, though I know in-game WWE will release half their roster on day one so I'd have to be a bit judicious with that.

If I could, I'd send you my files so you can see what you can make of it.

[Evil Vito]

You had me at Colt Cabana going to Nigeria.

Luckily enough it’s available online....haven’t listened to this in years but I’ll have to listen again. Well worth taking the hour to listen. Fucking hilarious.

http://tsmradio.com/colthold/show59.mp3

[Evil Vito]

lol one of my games was from 2015, with only one show booked: Money in the Bank 2015

just a couple pages back I know I went a couple months deeper into that game but no longer have the files. oops.

other ones I have: a game from 2010 and a game from 2011 (my "firing range" game where a random worker was fired every week until WrestleMania)

[M-A-G]

Yes, I remember that last one! If I had been in charge of WCW in those last months, I would have pulled that stunt. I mean, I'm hemorrhaging money every week so what would I have to lose? :lol:

[Evil Vito]

Downloaded a January 2021 scenario update. If I start a game, it would begin in February and give me some time to build to AEW Revolution. Maybe I’ll kick around with it this week.

[M-A-G]

Downloaded a January 2021 scenario update. If I start a game, it would begin in February and give me some time to build to AEW Revolution. Maybe I’ll kick around with it this week.

What are you using?

[M-A-G]

Superstars: April 19, 2040

Opening Match: Alexander Piero vs. Jerome McDougal
Magnificen gets slammed. Piero drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Jerome McDougal fires off some right and left hands. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Death valley driver by Jerome McDougal, Alexander Piero got planted. Cover, but there's no one to count for Jerome McDougal. Piero ducks a wild right hand. Fallaway slam by Alexander Piero. Alexander Piero hits a bulldog off the ropes. There's a two count on the pin. Flying clothesline by Piero. Pin, but Magnificen is out just before the three count. Alexander Piero gets taken down out of nowhere. Vicious lightning kick by Magnificen on Piero. Pin, but Piero is out just before the three count. Piero counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Jerome McDougal can barely stand. Flashpoint! 1....2....3. Almost a *** rating, but there were some bits that dragged, so **3\4 instead. 75% overall.

Ugh, it's going to be one of THOSE shows.:roll:

Backstage, Michael Hotbody stumbles upon Aphrodite. Aphrodite warns Hotbody that she can see to it that he loses his title shot at Backlash if he tries anything. Hotbody tries to put her at ease but does want to remind her about how he is all man. Aphrodite questions if that means he's man enough to take on one of her clients tonight. Hotbody agrees...as long as it's not Caleb Greene. It's not, she assures him. It'll be Hotbody vs. Stanley Coleman tonight!

Second Match: The Wolves of Wall Street (Doyle Hughes and Emilio London) vs. The Wyldhearts (Blaine Bellamey and Robbie Greer)
Hughes gets slammed. Blaine Bellamey with a spinning neckbreaker on Hughes. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Blaine Bellamey and Robbie Greer. The Wyldhearts hook up Hughes, then hit a double suplex. There's a two count on the pin. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Hughes counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Ring-shaking slam on Robbie G.. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Emilio London. Springboard reverse elbow by Emilio London. Excellent move. Pin, but Robbie G. is out just before the three count. Driven DDT by Emilio London. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Robbie Greer avoids a Emilio London avalanche. London takes a flying neckbreaker from Robbie Greer. Robbie G. tags out to Blaine Bellamey. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Blaine Bellamey uses a forearm to the face. Tag between Emilio London and Doyle Hughes. Blaine Bellamey hits a rolling kick on Hughes. Doyle Hughes is all alone...Heartstopper!! 1....2....3! This one gets a ***1\4 rating, it was a good bout. 81% overall.

HUGO IS COMING!!!

Third Match: Stanley Coleman vs. Michael Hotbody
Standing leg lariat by Michael Hotbody on Cole Train. Hotbody walks into a trip. Standing leg lariat by Stanley Coleman on Hotbody. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Stanley Coleman drills Michael Hotbody with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Hotbody counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Hotbody uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Big piledriver on Cole Train. Cover for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Cole Train goes down. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Cole Train counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Brutal T-Bone suplex by Cole Train, Hotbody got folded in half. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Stanley Coleman misses a clothesline. Stanley Coleman slams Hotbody, who rolls onto his stomach. What is Michael Hotbody doing? Stanley Coleman picks him up and signals for a powerbomb. He raises Hotbody up...but then falls backward, getting crushed by his opponent in the process! Michael Hotbody is on top! 1....2....3! Looking at the replay, it appears that Hotbody had taken a chain out of his tights and wrapped it around his fist! Stanley Coleman must have been punched with that chain while in mid-powerbomb! What a cheap shot! Jordan Demiras comes running down the aisle with a chair and into the ring! Hotbody turns...and runs away unscathed. A good *** rating. 76% overall.

Fourth Match: C.J. and Arianna vs. Phoebe Hanson and Tania
Flying elbow from C.J.. Lightning kick by C.J. on Phoebe. Cover for a two count. Tag to Arianna. Arianna \ C.J. whip Phoebe into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. Rude Awakening on Phoebe Hanson by Arianna. Hooks the leg for a two count. Phoebe receives some punishment. Phoebe ducks a wild right hand. Springboard dropkick from Phoebe Hanson. Nicely done. Tag to Tania. Arianna tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. Arianna walks into a spike slam. Arianna backdrops Tania out of a piledriver attempt. Tag between Arianna and C.J.. Springboard reverse elbow by C.J.. Excellent move. C.J. scores with a killer spinebuster. Pin, but Tania is out just before the three count. C.J. strikes Tania. Tania ducks a clothesline attempt. Tania pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving C.J. down to the mat. C.J. is in trouble. Here it comes - Nose Dive. 1....2...3, it's finished. I'll give this a ***1\4 rating. 81% overall.

Backstage, Paul Andrews is with his clients, Mathias and Connor Buchanan. They're part of a big 8-man tag in the main event tonight and are eager to continue the war with Azazel and Orlando Kincaid.

Fifth Match: Hannah McCormick vs. Sarah Moore
Moore walks into a high dropkick from Hannah McCormick. Moore walks into a high dropkick from Hannah McCormick. Hard back suplex on Moore. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Driven DDT by Hannah McCormick. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Sarah Moore powers out of a Hannah McCormick headlock. Flying shoulder tackle by Moore sends McCormick to the mat. McCormick walks into a killer lariat. Cover for a two count. McCormick pushes out of a Sarah Moore hold. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Vicious kick to the teeth from Hannah McCormick. Akira Maeda would be proud. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Sarah Moore reverses a hip toss. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Sarah Moore uses a forearm to the face. Sarah Moore gets taken down out of nowhere. Hard back suplex on Moore. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Sarah Moore hooks up a suplex, but it is blocked. McCormick scores with a low blow, then turns it into a small package! The referee didn't see the illegal blow! 1...2...3! Sarah Moore got screwed out of the victory! A good *** rating. 78% overall.

Sixth Match: Joey Osbourne vs. El Silencio
Bodyslam by Silencio. El Silencio hits a bulldog off the ropes. Hooks the leg for a two count. Joey Osbourne reverses a hip toss. Osbourne slams El Silencio. El Silencio takes a butterfly suplex from Osbourne. Cover for a two count. Joey Osbourne scores with a killer spinebuster. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Fallaway slam by Joey Osbourne. Silencio counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Spinebuster by El Silencio, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Death valley driver by El Silencio, Joey Osbourne got planted. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Silencio slams Joey Osbourne down. Belly to belly suplex by Silencio. Joey Osbourne elbows El Silencio in the face to break a hammerlock. Back elbow connects, Silencio staggers backward. Joey Osbourne scores with a killer spinebuster. El Silencio grabs Joey Osbourne from behind and shoves him into the ropes, then scores with a roll-up...but Osbourne rolls through with the move! He is using the tights for leverage! 1....2...3! The referee didn't see it! *** rating for a good bout. 77% overall.

Backstage, Jake Connelly is with Brandon Reigns and they want to talk about the opportunities that are in front of Reigns at the moment. Reigns has a chance to reclaim the Intercontinental Title at Backlash and at any given moment, he can cash in the Money in the Bank contract and claim the big prize. Hell, Backlash might just be a two-for-one. Just a word of warning.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation, Azazel, and Orlando Kincaid vs. The Dillingers, Mathias, and Conner Buchanan
Rick Hilton fires off some right and left hands. Flying shoulder tackle by Hilton sends Dillinger to the mat. Tag between Rick Hilton and Julian Merrick. Merrick bodyslams Ben Dillinger. Dillinger tags out to Mathias. Merrick hits a right hand. Merrick tags out to Azazel. Merrick \ Azazel whip Mathias into the corner. Julian Merrick whips Azazel in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Azazel hits a bulldog off the ropes. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Orlando Kincaid. OK hits a dropkick on Mathias. OK crushes Mathias with a sweet running senton. OK tags out to Rick Hilton. Mathias walks into a face-first flapjack. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Mathias ducks a clothesline attempt. Tag to Conner Buchanan. Hilton gets caught with a short powerbomb from Buchanan. Doctor Bomb, Hilton is hurt. Cover for a two count. Buchanan tags out to Joey Dillinger. Buchanan \ Joey whip Hilton into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Cover for a two count. Merrick gets hit with a running splash mountain out of the corner. Pin, but Merrick is out just before the three count. Merrick blocks the suplex attempt. Julian Merrick with a spinning neckbreaker on Joey. Tag to Orlando Kincaid. Orlando Kincaid hits a bulldog off the ropes. Joey Dillinger powers out of a Orlando Kincaid headlock. Joey tags out to Conner Buchanan. Joey \ Buchanan whip OK into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Conner Buchanan nearly kills OK with a released tiger suplex. Conner Buchanan moves in for the kill. Riki Lariat! 1....2....3. *** rating, as it was good, but nothing too special. 80% overall.

Overall show rating: 80%. We all have our off days I suppose.

[Evil Vito]

What are you using?

https://www.mediafire.com/file/i6cerzvf8ys30kk/January_2021_Full.zip/file

[M-A-G]

But is it EWR or something else?

[Evil Vito]

Oh god, the dreaded non-clicking shows. Hate those. To still get an 80% on one of them is pretty damn good.

[Evil Vito]

But is it EWR or something else?

EWR

I'm mildly tempted to try TEW 21 but I think as cool as it is that it's so immersive, I'd lose patience rapidly.

[M-A-G]

Oh god, the dreaded non-clicking shows. Hate those. To still get an 80% on one of them is pretty damn good.

Well, it's balanced out by my non-match segments getting high ratings. Those interviews alone were both over 90%. Paul Andrews has a charisma rating of 97 and Jake Connelly has a 92 so they're life savers.

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: April 20, 2040

AWESOOOOME!!! Holy crap, it's The Miz!!! He's making his first appearance in the WWE in almost 15 years and he's kicking off the show with apparently a special edition of Miz TV. Well we are in his hometown tonight. He talks about how good it feels to be back in the WWE even for one night only. He reflects on his glorious career but then brings it back to tonight and makes it clear that he's not just here to celebrate himself. There is one superstar on the roster that is making waves and ruffling all the feathers in the WWE and The Miz has taken notice. This superstar has the star qualities the Miz possesses and believes that they are on the right track to legendary status. He wants to bring that person down right now and give him the appropriate amount of props face to face, so without further ado, let's bring him down right now. MICHAEL HOTBODY, GET DOWN HERE!

Hotbody indeed responds in kind and joins the Miz. After a handshake, Miz continues his praise for Hotbody pointing out that even at such an early point in his career, Hotbody is already creating the buzz that will lay the foundation for a tremendous future and Miz just wants him know that it's good to see someone in the WWE just like him. Hotbody declares that he is humbled but that the Miz is correct. It all begins at Backlash next Sunday when he dethrones that paper champion, Jordan Demiras and becomes the new Cruiserweight Champion. Demiras doesn't have the seal of approval from a WWE legend like Miz and he never will. Michael Hotbody is just too much for any one man to handle so make way for the hottest ticket in the business! The segment ends with Hotbody's music playing and having his hand raised by the Miz.

First Match: The Play Pals (Gavin Jones and Michael Haywood) vs. Freddie Galino and Jimmy Farnes
Stiff high kick on Galino by Michael Haywood who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Spin kick by Michael Haywood to the face. There's a two count on the pin. Tag between Michael Haywood and Gavin Jones. Michael Haywood scoops up Galino. Jones bounces off the ropes and hits a flying Hart Attack clothesline. Cover for a two count. Gavin Jones snap suplexes Galino...with authority! ('With authority', trademark G.Monsoon 1986.) Gavin Jones gets taken down out of nowhere. Galino pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Gavin Jones down to the mat. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag to Jimmy Farnes. Massive backbreaker, Jones got nailed. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Big clothesline on Jones. Jones kicks Jimmy Farnes in the gut to reverse the momentum. Flying elbow from Gavin Jones. Jones tags out to Michael Haywood. Michael Haywood strikes Farnes. Farnes tags out to Freddie Galino. Driven DDT by Michael Haywood. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Freddie Galino gets knocked to the ground by Rage King. Rage Quit!!! Freddie Galino taps out! A **** rating for a good contest. 90% overall

The announcers talk about the Women's title match between Sonya Braddock and Faith Connors at Backlash. They bring up the history between the two women briefly but believe the following video will give us a better picture. Thus we get a package about the two competitors hyping up their confrontation.

Second Match: Naomi Bailey vs. Tania
Bailey slams Tania. Tania powers out of a Naomi Bailey headlock. Belly to belly suplex by Tania. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Back heel kick off the second rope, Bailey goes down. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Tania gets taken down out of nowhere. Flying shoulder tackle by Bailey sends Tania to the mat. Spinebuster by Naomi Bailey, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tania walks into a face-first flapjack. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Tania ducks a wild right hand. Bailey gets hit with a huge clothesline. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Bailey pushes out of a Tania hold. Billie Padgett comes running down the aisle with a chair! Bailey and Tania continue fighting, unaware of the intrusion. Billie Padgett slides in and blasts Tania with a chair to the head! Billie climbs out of the ring, the damage done! Tania can barely stand. Bail Out!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 91% overall.

Brandon Reigns joins us in the ring. He talks about how the Intercontinental Title match at Backlash is now a triple threat between himself, Salvatore Scabbia, and the champion, Kyle Jacobs. Losing to Salvatore Scabbia last year and not being able to regain the title weighed heavily on Reigns. He was in a bad place mentally and had to step back and gather himself for a while and when it was all said and done it did him a world of good. He stands here the owner of the Money in the Bank contract, ready to cash it in at a moment's notice. He stands here with the backing of a surefire Hall of Famer in Jake Connelly. He stands here poised to right a wrong and become the new Intercontinental Champion and there's nothing standing in his way.

Cue Kyle Jacobs who comes out to the stage and object. All of that and Jacobs doesn't even get a thank you. For what, you may ask? Well, how about 'Thanks, Kyle, for being my partner and helping me win a match to get involved in a match I wasn't part of to begin with'? Look, it's fine, really. Reigns, in a weird way, you deserve my thanks. At Backlash, I don't get to just beat one incredible opponent but TWO incredible opponents to retain the title. You bring Jake Connelly and Scabbia can bring Brooke; Jacobs just needs himself. Reigns interjects and says he will be thanking Jacobs...when Jacobs is one Reigns pins to win. We close with the two staring each other down.

Third Match: The Dillingers vs Southern Gentlemen (Brody Lee and Whiskey Murdoch)
Whiskey uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Whiskey crushes Joey with a running senton. Cover for a two count. Tag to Brody Lee. Southern Gentlemen whip Joey into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Second rope flying axe handle, Joey goes down. There's a two count on the pin. Standing leg lariat by Brody Lee on Joey. Brody Lee misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Joey Dillinger nearly kills Lee with a released tiger suplex. Tag to Ben Dillinger. Running knee lift from Ben Dillinger. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Lee kicks Ben Dillinger in the gut to reverse the momentum. Tag to Whiskey Murdock. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. DDT from the top rope by Whiskey Murdock. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Whiskey hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Dillinger blocks a kick from Whiskey Murdock. Springboard reverse elbow by Ben Dillinger. Excellent move. Ben Dillinger floors Whiskey Murdock...and climbs the turnbuckles. Frog Splash!!! 1....2....3!! It's all over. Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 91% overall

HUGO IS COMING!!!

Fourth Match: Kerry Cemenko vs. Salvatore Scabbia
Kick from Salvatore Scabbia to the leg. Spinning back kick from Salvatore Scabbia. Flying elbow from Salvatore Scabbia. Flying elbow from Salvatore Scabbia. Concrete counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Running knee lift from Kerry Cemenko. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Concrete. Cover for a two count. Salvatore Scabbia avoids a Kerry Cemenko avalanche. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Big Sal. Hooks the leg for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Concrete goes flying. Pin, but Concrete is out just before the three count. Salvatore Scabbia misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Dropkick connects, Big Sal goes down. Big Sal drops out the back of a Kerry Cemenko bodyslam attempt. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Salvatore Scabbia floors Kerry Cemenko. Kerry Cemenko gets locked in the Omerta! Submission victory! That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Wait a sec! We cut to the back where people are surrounding a fallen Haven. Nobody seems to know what happened but Haven is being attended to.

Fifth Match: Clubber Harris vs. WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras
Dropkick connects, Harris goes down. Demiras hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Jordan Demiras hits a rolling kick on Harris. Demiras hits a dropkick on Clubber Harris. Clubber Harris takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Back elbow connects, Demiras staggers backward. Demiras walks into a spike slam. There's a two count on the pin. Demiras counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Harris is down. There's a two count on the pin. Diamond Dust from Jordan Demiras, Harris is out. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Jordan Demiras gets taken down out of nowhere. Harris slams Jordan Demiras. Demiras blocks a punch. Flying elbow from Jordan Demiras. Jordan Demiras has Clubber Harris down on the canvas and is ascending the corner. Through the air, Axe Kick! Michael Hotbody slides into the ring out of nowhere! Demiras takes a stiff punch to the face and falls to the canvas. The referee calls for the DQ as Michael Hotbody continues to attack Demiras. Good **** rating. 89% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Seth Von Kamp, Ryan Pattillo, and Martyn LaSalle vs. Moses McKay, Chris Collins, and Quentin McDaniels
Seth Von Kamp uses move #193 (arm-BAR). Flying elbow from Seth Von Kamp. Von Kamp tags out to Ryan Pattillo. Pattillo hits a dropkick on Moses McKay. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Tag to Martyn LaSalle. Pattillo \ LaSalle whip McKay into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Flying shoulder tackle by LaSalle sends McKay to the mat. McKay powers out of a headlock. Back elbow connects, LaSalle staggers backward. Tag to Chris Collins. Fallaway slam by Chris Collins. Springboard dropkick from Chris Collins. Nicely done. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Collins hits a dropkick on Martyn LaSalle. Collins tags out to Quinten McDaniels. Kick from Quinten McDaniels to the leg. McDaniels uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Martyn LaSalle reverses a hip toss. Tag between Martyn LaSalle and Seth Von Kamp. Flying elbow from Seth Von Kamp. McDaniels tags out to Moses McKay. Von Kamp takes a headbutt from Moses McKay. Ring-shaking slam on Von Kamp. Moses McKay floors Von Kamp near the ropes and makes the pin. McKay is using the ropes for leverage! The referee hasn't seen it: 1....2....3!! A **** rating for a good contest. 88% overall.

Overall show rating: 86%

[M-A-G]

Doyle Hughes did not take kindly to being served by some overzealous dance group and got in a fight. He's suspended.

[M-A-G]

Raj Ghosh has checked into rehab for personal issues...but he's retiring anyway...He couldn't wait 1 more week? :|

[M-A-G]

Raw: April 23, 2040

We open with the Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael out in the ring to blab. He's here with an update on the condition of Haven as he reminds us of the scene back on SmackDown! with Haven found down and out. Carmichael is upset that somebody out there came close to ruining the main event for Backlash but he has an idea as to who might have been responsible. With that said, Carmichael challenges Xavier Cross to get out here.

We get Xavier Cross after a bit of a delay. He gets in Carmichael's face and declares that he doesn't like being accused of things he hasn't done. Carmichael fires back with the fact that Cross got rejected last week by Haven when Cross offered aide in order to take the Unified World Title away. Carmichael isn't down with conspirators trying to take his title and he also isn't down with somebody sticking their nose in his business. Haven will be dealt with on Carmichael's watch. In fact, Carmichael offers to take care of Cross tonight in order to teach a lesson. Cross responds with, "Methinks the champion doth protest too much." Cross accuses the champion of being underhanded and that he could have been the one to take out Haven on SmackDown! out of fear and paranoia. But Cross is actually fine with facing Carmichael tonight because he wants to teach a lesson of his own. And with that Cross takes his leave.

Backstage, the Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras is not his usual self. He's been poked and poked and poked by that son of a bitch known as Michael Hotbody for the last few weeks and he's getting sick of it. Demiras claims that he can see right through the charade, though. Hotbody may act aloof and nonchalant but if he's resorting to desperate tactics like the ones he's enacted, then that's proof positive that he knows Demiras will tear him up like the toothless coward he is. At Backlash, Hotbody gets snuffed out.

First Match: Michael Haywood vs. Julian Merrick vs. Randy Ellis vs. Ben Dillinger
A bit of a preview of the Fatal Four Way match for the Unified Tag Team Championship at Backlash. Rage King gets slammed. Dillinger slams Michael Haywood down. Cover for a two count. Michael Haywood elbows Ben Dillinger in the face to break a hammerlock. Tag to Randy Ellis. The Didact hits a dropkick on Ben Dillinger. Randy Ellis misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee by mistake. Tiger suplex on Dillinger, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Driven DDT by Randy Ellis. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Dillinger counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Dillinger tags out to Julian Merrick. Massive backbreaker, The Didact got nailed. Julian Merrick with a spinning neckbreaker on The Didact. Randy Ellis ducks a clothesline attempt. The Didact hits a dropkick on Julian Merrick. Lifting DDT by Randy Ellis, executed well. Tag between Randy Ellis and Ben Dillinger. Big dropkick by Ben Dillinger, who got good elevation. Lifting DDT by Ben Dillinger, executed well. Julian Merrick gets knocked to the ground by Dillinger, who is already climbing the turnbuckle. Off the top - Senton Bomb, forget about it. 1....2...3! Good **** rating. 90% overall. Winner: Ben Dillinger

Backstage, Faith Connors is prepping for tonight when she's approached by Sonya Braddock. Braddock warns Faith to keep it together tonight because at Backlash, she doesn't want anything less than 100% from Faith. The pecking order needs to be established and that's only possible if Braddock is facing everyone at their absolute best. Connors looks to rebuke but Naomi Bailey joins the scene and declares that the pecking order is determined by the Queen. Naomi hopes Faith fails miserably at Backlash because it'll be just what she deserves for ignoring Naomi's demands. Jenna Kyle then interjects herself into the mix and wants to make the unfinished business she has with both Braddock and Faith crystal clear. Connors has had enough of this and tells everyone to not get ahead of themselves. Backlash is all that matters at the moment and she'll more than happy to deal with everyone's gripes...AFTER she becomes champion.

Meanwhile, some place else backstage, Noah Carmichael is found down and out with people surrounding him. Lisa Benton is there as well but she has no answers for us after being questioned. She does, however, have news for Xavier Cross. He's not out of the woods as far as tonight goes. She has a replacement opponent for him in tonight's main event...HAVEN!

Second Match: Salvatore Scabbia and Ronnie Costello vs. Brandon Reigns and WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs
Things look pretty tense on the face team. Big backdrop on Costello, executed well. Jacobs pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Ronnie Costello down to the mat. Cover for a two count. Jacobs tags out to Brandon Reigns. Reigns \ Jacobs whip Costello into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Big clothesline on Costello. Cover for a two count. Stiff high kick on Costello by Brandon Reigns who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Costello pushes out of a Brandon Reigns hold. Costello pulls a jumping piledriver out! Costello tags out to Salvatore Scabbia. Reigns takes a flying neckbreaker from Salvatore Scabbia. Big Sal crushes Reigns with a sweet running senton. Brandon Reigns powers out of a Salvatore Scabbia headlock. Tag to Kyle Jacobs. Massive backbreaker, Big Sal got nailed. Death valley driver by Kyle Jacobs, Salvatore Scabbia got planted. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Back suplex on Big Sal, which is a backdrop to you NOAH fans. Big Sal reverses a Kyle Jacobs hammerlock. Big Sal crushes Jacobs with a running senton. Jacobs holds Salvatore Scabbia in place. Brandon Reigns charges...but Big Sal ducks, and in a scenario never before seen in wrestling, the clothesline floors Jacobs. Kyle Jacobs gets knocked to the ground by Big Sal. Omerta!!! Kyle Jacobs taps out! Reigns and Jacobs remain in the ring. Kyle Jacobs does not look happy at losing. Brandon Reigns goes to leave, but gets pulled back in by Jacobs. Tensions seem to be rising between these two. Good **** rating. 88% overall.

Third Match: Faith Connors vs. Bonnie Beckham
Sonya Braddock is watching from backstage. Stiff high kick on BiBi by Faith Connors who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Belly to belly suplex by Faith. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Bonnie Beckham takes a butterfly suplex from Faith. Bonnie Beckham takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. BiBi uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Massive backbreaker, Faith got nailed. There's a two count on the pin. Faith drops out the back of a Bonnie Beckham bodyslam attempt. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Faith. Cover for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Faith Connors. Nicely done. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Faith Connors misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Faith takes a headbutt from Bonnie Beckham. Faith blocks a punch. BiBi gets caught with a short powerbomb from Faith. Bonnie Beckham can barely stand. CRISIS OF FAITH! 1....2....3. Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 93%

Seth Von Kamp comes out to talk about his First Blood match at Backlash against Moses McKay. Some people may wonder if Seth is crazy for wanting to go through a match like this after everything that went down at WrestleMania. For those people Seth says that crazy would be letting Moses McKay get away with what went down at WrestleMania. Maybe he's at a disadvantage, with his face still not fully recovered but it's fine because McKay is going to brought down to Seth's level sure enough.

Moses McKay comes out to mock Seth and remind everyone of how little remorse he has over what's transpired. Seth dares McKay to try and get some. McKay ponders this for a moment and sure enough he runs down to brawl. He gets the upper hand over Seth after a while and looks to repeat himself by busting open Seth's wound again with a chair. Seth recovers in time to steal the chair away and cracks McKay and busts him open. Officials and medical personnel come down to stop the carnage.

Fourth Match: King Kavovit vs. Conner Buchanan
Spinning back kick from King Kavovit. Kavovit hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Fallaway slam by King Kavovit. Driven DDT by King Kavovit. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Kavovit only gets knees on a splash. Vertical suplex by Conner Buchanan. Gutwrench into a stomach breaker, Kavovit may be winded. Hooks the leg for a two count. Kavovit ducks a wild right hand. Big piledriver on Buchanan. Cover for a two count. Brutal seated powerbomb on Buchanan. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Buchanan blocks a punch. Back suplex on Kavovit, which is a backdrop to you NOAH fans. Buchanan drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Flying elbow from King Kavovit. Buchanan scores with a forearm, sending Kavovit down into the corner. The referee pulls Conner Buchanan away to get the break. Wait! Kavovit has pulled something out of his tights. Conner Buchanan walks over...and gets floored by a punch! 1....2....3! The referee never saw the brass knuckles! That was good. **** rating. 87% overall.

Fifth Match: Romeo Valiente and The Agents of Change vs. Ozzy Mandias and The Wyldhearts
Oz gets slammed. Big clothesline on Oz. Tag between Corey Mattis and Romeo Valiente. Bodyslam by Valiente. Spinebuster by Romeo Valiente, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. Valiente tags out to Clayton North. Valiente \ North whip Oz into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. Clayton North hits a rolling kick on Oz. Oz blocks the suplex attempt. Spin kick by Ozzy Mandias to the face. Oz tags out to Robbie Greer. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Diamond Dust from Robbie Greer, North is out. Pin, but North is out just before the three count. Second rope flying axe handle, North goes down. Robbie G. tags out to Blaine Bellamey. BB slams Clayton North. Back elbow connects, North staggers backward. North blocks a kick from Blaine Bellamey. North tags out to Corey Mattis. Bodyslam by Mattis. Tag to Ozzy Mandias. Kick from Ozzy Mandias to the leg. Lightning kick by Oz on Mattis. Ozzy Mandias floors Corey Mattis. Blizzard of Oz!!! 1....2....3!! It's all over. A **** rating for a good contest. 87% overall.

MAIN EVENT: Xavier Cross vs. Haven
We're told beforehand that Lisa Benton has made this a No DQ match. It may that day of retribution after all. Stiff high kick on Cross by Haven who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Kitchen sink shot, Cross gets floored. Haven slams Xavier Cross down. Haven slams Xavier Cross down. Cross reverses a waistlock. Hip toss onto a chair by Cross. Devastating face-first slam from Cross on Haven. There's a two count on the pin. Haven reverses a waistlock. Haven crushes Cross with a running senton. Hooks the leg for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Haven. Nicely done. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Cross counters an avalanche with a raised foot to the face. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Xavier Cross uses a forearm to the face. Haven pushes out of a Xavier Cross hold. Haven hits a dropkick on Xavier Cross. Haven moves in for the kill. Here it comes - Sting of Solace. 1....2...3, it's finished. A ****1\2 rating for a great match. 97% overall.

Noah Carmichael stumbles out in visible pain onto the stage and glares at Haven who responds in kind. Carmichael does his damndest to raise the title over his head in defiance.

Overall show rating: 89%

[M-A-G]

Brandon Reigns has partaken in conduct unbecoming of a Money in the Bank holder and will thus have to be suspended for the rest of the month. Ugh, it's going to suck trying to work that into the storyline.

[Evil Vito]

I'm laughing really hard imagining what The Miz would look like in 2040

Oh wait, I know

https://images.fatherly.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/wrestlemaniadad.jpg?q=65&enable=upscale&w=600

[Evil Vito]

Raj Ghosh has checked into rehab for personal issues...but he's retiring anyway...He couldn't wait 1 more week? :|

The equivalent of putting in a 2 week notice and then peacing out early regardless.

[Evil Vito]

The Rooster Teeth references with the Hunters/Play Pals is great. Shame Ryan Haywood ended up being a sex pest.

[M-A-G]

The Rooster Teeth references with the Hunters/Play Pals is great. Shame Ryan Haywood ended up being a sex pest.

Well, look on the bright side......
























....I've got nothing. :|

[Evil Vito]

Well shit, I set up my game and you actually CAN get by with only a PPV every few months. You can set up special medium or large events on the other months, or nothing (though Sophie recommends large ones).

I mean, usually AEW's special events are on episodes of Dynamite itself but hey, I can bend realism here. After all, I'm gonna be playing under the assumption that all injuries have healed and we've magically cured COVID, gotten everyone vaccinated and lifted all gathering and travel bans by February 1.

[M-A-G]

I play under the assumption that I can cram at least 6 ****+matches into 2 hours so it's not an odd thing to play it loose.

[Evil Vito]

OK, I start on Monday, February 1st. Had to get all the administrative stuff sorted first. Hiring staff, signing sponsors, setting up a developmental system, all that jazz. Now to dive into the roster. 105 workers, quite a lot for what is still a national promotion, but here goes nothing:

Men's Roster:

Main Eventers

Faces
Cody Rhodes
Jon Moxley
Matt Jackson - AEW World Tag Team Champion
Nick Jackson - AEW World Tag Team Champion

Heels
Chris Jericho
Kenny Omega - AEW World Champion

Upper Midcarders

Faces
Adam Page
Darby Allin - AEW TNT Champion
Orange Cassidy
PAC

Heels
Brian Cage - FTW Champion
Maxwell Jacob Friedman
Miro

Midcarders

Faces
Billy
Christopher Daniels
Dustin Rhodes
Frankie Kazarian
Joey Janela
Lance Archer
Luchasaurus
Penta El Zero Miedo
Rey Fenix
Scorpio Sky
Trent?

Tweeners
Colt Cabana
Evil Uno
Stu Grayson

Heels
Cash Wheeler
Dax Harwood
Doc Gallows (open contract, also signed to Impact)
Eddie Kingston
Jake Hager
Karl Anderson (open contract, also signed to Impact)
Ortiz
Sammy Guevara
Santana
Shawn Spears
The Butcher

Lower Midcarders

Faces
Brian Pillman Jr.
Jungle Boy
Marko Stunt
QT Marshall
Sonny Kiss

Tweeners
Alex Reynolds
John Silver

Heels
Angelico
Isiah Kassidy
Jack Evans
Kip Sabian
Luther
Marq Quen
Powerhouse Hobbs
Ricky Starks
The Blade
Wardlow

Openers

Faces
Austin Gunn
Brandon Cutler
Colten Gunn
Dante Martin
Darius Martin
Griff Garrison
Lee Johnson
Michael Nakazawa

Tweeners
Alan V Angels
Pres10 Vance

Heels
Anthony Bowens
Hook
Max Caster
Peter Avalon
Serpentico


Women's Roster:

Midcarders

Faces
Big Swole
Hikaru Shida - AEW Women's World Champion
Kris Statlander
Riho

Heels
Awesome Kong
Dr. Britt Baker DMD
Ivelisse
Nyla Rose


Lower Midcarders

Faces
Leva Bates
Serena Deeb
Thunder Rosa (open contract, also signed to NWA)
Yuka Sakazaki

Tweeners
Anna Jay

Heels
Diamante
Emi Sakura
Jade Cargill
Mel

Openers

Faces
Abadon
KiLynn King
Tay Conti

Heels
Leyla Hirsch


Managers:

Faces
Arn Anderson - manages Cody Rhodes
Brandi Rhodes - occasional wrestler, also manages Cody Rhodes but uhh, can't assign more than one manager in this game
Dasha Fuentes - no clients
Jake Roberts - manages Lance Archer

Heels
Allie - occasional wrestler, manages The Blade and The Butcher
Don Callis - manages Kenny Omega; open contract, also signed to Impact
Matt Hardy - also wrestles, manages Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen
Penelope Ford - also wrestles, manages Kip Sabian
Reba - manages Dr. Britt Baker DMD
Taz - manages Brian Cage, Hook, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Ricky Starks
Tully Blanchard - manages Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood
Vickie Guerrero - manages Nyla Rose


Managers:

Faces
Diamond Dallas Page - open contract
Sting

---

I've only got 1 weekly 2 hour show, Dynamite on Wednesday, plus an early evening YouTube show, AEW Dark on Tuesdays. Too many people on the roster to feature. The latter show is actually 2 hours long in real life and mixes main talent with preliminary talent. So I also called my Developmental territory AEW Dark and will be sending a good chunk of the lower midcard/opener roster down to hone their skills and simulate the experience of working Dark. I'll likely sign a bunch of other people AEW have been bringing in for Dark tapings too to flesh that roster out.

WWE will doubtless be doing a huge purge but I will not sign anyone they release for a minimum of 90 days.

[Evil Vito]

Forgot to include tag teams and stables in that but it would've mucked things up a bit as AEW has a very heavy Japan influence when it comes to that - only a small handful of guys aren't at least loosely affiliated with some sort of team, trio, or stable.

Tag Teams

Faces
Bad Romance (Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss)
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent?)
Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix)
The Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall)
Varsity Blondes (Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison)
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)
Top Flight (Dante and Darius Martin)

Tweeners
Alex Reynolds and John Silver
Evil Uno and Stu Grayson
Five and Dime (Alan V Angels and Pres10 Vance)

Heels
FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) w/ Tully Blanchard
The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)
Miro and Kip Sabian w/ Penelope Ford
Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy) w/ Matt Hardy
Santana and Ortiz
TH2 (Jack Evans and Angelico)
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens and Max Caster)
The Butcher and The Blade w/ Allie


Trios

Faces
Best Friends and Orange Cassidy
Death Triangle (PAC and the Lucha Bros)
Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, and Marko Stunt)
SCU (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, and Scorpio Sky)
The Gunn Club (Billy, Austin, and Colten Gunn)

Heels
Team Taz (Brian Cage, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Ricky Starks w/ Taz.....technically Taz' son Hook is there too but he's never wrestled and I'll be sending him to developmental)
The Elite (Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers w/ Don Callis)
The Family (Eddie Kingston, The Butcher and The Blade w/ Allie)


Stables

Faces
The Nightmare Family (Cody Rhodes, The Natural Nightmares, The Gunn Club, Lee Johnson, Brandi Rhodes, and Arn Anderson)...this is more like an MMA faction where it's implied they train together but they don't always get involved in each others' business.

Tweeners
The Dark Order (Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Five and Dime, Colt Cabana, and Anna Jay)...An evil cult led by Mr. Brodie Lee slowly turned into lovable goofballs in the past few months, they're practically full blown face now after the tragic death of Brodie.

Heels
The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana and Ortiz, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and Wardlow)...the first 5 formed on the very first AEW Dynamite in October 2019 and they've been together ever since. MJF and his bodyguard Wardlow joined a year in and MJF being a massive dickhead has caused everyone to start in-fighting.

[M-A-G]

It begins....

[M-A-G]

Wait, Chris Jericho is still an active competitor? :wtf:

[Evil Vito]

Wait, Chris Jericho is still an active competitor? :wtf:

Yep indeed. He signed when AEW launched and it was a big deal because he'd said many times over he'd never work anywhere else in the States except for Vince. Also it gave them a big name out of the gate while they can build up the talent people were less familiar with. He's elevated a lot of the Inner Circle guys by interacting with them, has had feuds with guys like Adam Page and Orange Cassidy, etc which helped establish them.

Sadly, he started off for the good for the first year or so but his ring work torpedoed during the quarantine era. He's slowwwww and mostly a brawler at this stage.

That said, he's over and still has charisma of course, so there's always a use for him. But at 50 EWR could turn him into a non-wrestler at any time.

[M-A-G]

God damn, I knew there was a reason to not continue watching wrestling. Fuck Jericho. I would say, however, it's probably not a great idea to use him as a focus for your shows because of what you said about his age. Hell, sometimes EWR will just decide to make a 35-year old a non-wrestler. I've had that happen with guys I've wanted to keep utilizing but then I get a fuck ton of people in their forties and the game's like, "LOL, naw, it's still good, bro."

[M-A-G]

I will now arbitrarily decide to give myself an award for helping extend this thread an additional five pages.

[M-A-G]

Oh, I suppose Vito deserves a reward of some sort, too. Here; prepare to fire up the motorboat again.

https://i.imgur.com/21V1wIi.jpg

[Evil Vito]

Thankfully, Jericho's time at the top of the card was brief. Officially he had a 6 month title run but they weren't on TV that whole time and it only covered 2 PPVs, in which he dropped at the 2nd one to a red hot Moxley.

At this point he's a bit of a jack of all trades. He'll do commentary some weeks and is great at it. He'll second his stable mates to matches, be in tags, etc. High profile singles matches are mostly in his past.

I suspect that MJF (who is only like 26, ABSURDLY charismatic and the best heel in the business at the moment) will try to usurp him from Inner Circle, Jericho will get one last face run and then he'll move into more of a permanent commentary/backstage role, but we shall see. Not sure if I'll run with that same angle or not.

[M-A-G]

Thankfully, Jericho's time at the top of the card was brief. Officially he had a 6 month title run but they weren't on TV that whole time and it only covered 2 PPVs, in which he dropped at the 2nd one to a red hot Moxley.

At this point he's a bit of a jack of all trades. He'll do commentary some weeks and is great at it. He'll second his stable mates to matches, be in tags, etc. High profile singles matches are mostly in his past.

I suspect that MJF (who is only like 26, ABSURDLY charismatic and the best heel in the business at the moment) will try to usurp him from Inner Circle, Jericho will get one last face run and then he'll move into more of a permanent commentary/backstage role, but we shall see. Not sure if I'll run with that same angle or not.

Sorry, I can't get over him getting the win over Styles at WM 32. That whole show was one 'fuck you' piled on top of the other in one huge concerted effort to push Vince's narrative of "Hey, don't care about the people on the roster who are actually going to be here on a regular basis'. To which I responded with, "OK".:wave:

[Evil Vito]

Lol, Jericho's my favorite of all time and that run early that year was the first time he was getting go away heat with me. The first couple of surprise returns were cool but then he did it too many times.

Surprisingly he actually stuck around and had a great run with Kevin Owens for a few months after the re-draft....then Raw went to shit (again) and I've largely stopped paying attention since then. I'm gonna check out the Rumble on Sunday for morbid curiosity because it's VERY hard to fuck up a Rumble as a standalone but I can't imagine they'll pull together anything that would ever make me want to sit through 3 hours of Raw a week ever again. I listen to Bryan Alvarez' weekly rants about it and it really is 2000 WCW era bad at this point.

[M-A-G]

No, it's actually very easy to fuck up the Rumble. Not giving Russo his meds is one method. Having Roman Reigns go over a darling like Daniel Bryan IN PHILADELPHIA is another. If you were to clone anybody it should have been Pat Patterson so you'd have somebody still around who knows what they're doing.

Seriously, though, watching the Philly crowd just die and then rejuvenate with utter hatred and shitting on everything post-Bryan's elimination was just tremendous.

[Evil Vito]

See I'd view 2015 as an example of how it's hard to fuck up a Rumble just as it's hard to fuck up a lay-up. Daniel Bryan was a lay-up. Why have a guaranteed great moment everyone wants when you can have your planned top babyface be booed so badly that even The Rock can't save him?

Funny enough, in subsequent Rumbles, even though Roman was meant to still be a face, they deliberately would have him in there at the end as the last guy thrown out to ensure the winner got a massive pop. 2015 was surreal and like a fever dream.

[drave]

Was that the year Rock held up Roman's arm with a really confused look on his face?

[M-A-G]

Was that the year Rock held up Roman's arm with a really confused look on his face?

Yes. He was all, "I mean, this doesn't FEEL right but Vince is paying me a lot of money so just go with it, I guess???"

[Evil Vito]

Have a relatively quick turnaround to my first PPV, Revolution, 4 weeks of Dynamite to book. Might try to sketch out a card while I watch Dynamite tomorrow. Might be easiest to stick largely with where they're going in real life for now, but by the time of the next PPV, Double or Nothing in May rolls around, my ideas will be fully implemented :cool:

Sent a solid chunk of my undercard roster down to Dark developmental to build their skills. The Acclaimed, Top Flight, Griff Garrison, and Lee Johnson among the talents that were "sent down" even though I'm imagining they're still working Dark matches on YouTube. Left enough guys to get me through the 4 or so matches I'd need to fill out my portion of Dark with the rest of the spots probably being hype packages for my main show. Most Dynamites should have 5-6 matches so I'll be well stocked for that.

Also signed a bunch of other non-contracted real life AEW Dark regulars into very cheap development deals. It's possible they won't all develop into usable main roster but you never know where you'll find diamonds in the rough.

Men's Signees: Aaron Solow, Baron Black, Bear County (Bear Boulder and Bear Bronson), Danny Limelight, Fuego Del Sol, KC Navarro, Mike Verna, Nick Comoroto, TNT (Terrence and Terrell Hughes...aka D-Von Dudley's sons)

Women's Signees: Alex Gracia, Dani Jordyn, Lindsay Snow, Red Velvet, Tesha Price

[M-A-G]

Is Red Velvet as yummy as she sounds? :shifty:

[M-A-G]

Superstars: April 26, 2040

Opening Match: The Tokyo Titans (Wu and Tokyo Kid) vs. Bill Crockett and Vinnie LaPaige
Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Tokyo Kid uses a forearm to the face. Big clothesline on Crockett. Flying spear out of the corner! Crockett nearly got snapped in two. Tag to Vinnie LaPaige. LaPaige drives a forearm into the chest of Tokyo. Tokyo Kid ducks a clothesline attempt. Tokyo Kid fires off some right and left hands. Tag to Wu. The Tokyo Titans whip LaPaige into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Spinning bulldog in the corner, LaPaige is down. Wu pulls a jumping piledriver out! Tag to Tokyo Kid. Vinnie LaPaige is in trouble. Kaiju Krunch! 1....2....3. Almost a *** rating, but there were some bits that dragged, so **3\4 instead. 74% overall.

Ugh, it's another dud show....


Backstage, the Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs has some unfortunate news to share. Lisa Benton has found out that Brandon Reigns suffered an injury due to his match on Raw and is not cleared to compete at Backlash. So we're back to where we started and back to the way it should have been: one-on-one with Salvatore Scabbia. Jacobs knows that Scabbia suffering that fateful loss at WrestleMania has been eating away at him. Well, now Scabbia doesn't have to worry about a distraction. He's got a path back to the Intercontinental Title come Backlash. It's too bad there's a brick wall in the way known as Kyle Jacobs. As far as Brandon Reigns goes, Jacobs will be waiting.

Backstage, Moses McKay wants to gab about Seth Von Kamp and getting busted open on Raw. He refuses to be treated like this by someone like Seth Von Kamp. Moses McKay has aspirations that don't involve being bogged down with pettiness. McKay talks about how messing up Von Kamp's face at WrestleMania was just collateral damage but now he can't wait to see his blood stain the ground. First blood always goes to the most cunning and the most eager.

Second Match: The Morris Cousins (Chet and Lyle) vs. El Silencio and Isaac Wolff
Belly to belly suplex by Chet. Chet uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Cover for a two count. Tag to Lyle Morris. Chet Morris scoops up Wolff. Lyle bounces off the ropes and hits a flying Hart Attack clothesline. Hooks the leg for a two count. Big backdrop on Wolff, executed well. Isaac Wolff pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Lightning kick by Wolff on Lyle. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Isaac Wolff and El Silencio. Super frankensteiner on Lyle, who hit hard. Pin, but Lyle is out just before the three count. Spin kick by El Silencio to the face. Silencio walks into a trip. Lyle Morris hits a rolling kick on Silencio. Lyle tags out to Chet Morris. Standing leg lariat by Chet Morris on Silencio. Silencio tags out to Isaac Wolff. Flying elbow from Chet Morris. Isaac Wolff is all alone...Backwoods Bomb!! 1....2....3! This one gets a ***1\4 rating, it was a good bout. 82% overall.

Third Match: Hannah McCormick vs. Lauren Franklyn
Flying shoulder tackle by Franklyn sends McCormick to the mat. Spinebuster by Lauren Franklyn, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Hooks the leg for a two count. McCormick blocks a kick from Lauren Franklyn. Kick from Hannah McCormick to the leg. Hard back suplex on Franklyn. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Cover for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Franklyn goes flying. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Flying elbow from Hannah McCormick. McCormick walks into a trip. Driven full nelson slam on McCormick. Cover for a two count. Lauren Franklyn scores with a killer spinebuster. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Big clothesline on McCormick. Chanelling the spirit of Misawa, Lauren Franklyn uses a forearm to the face. McCormick pushes out of a Lauren Franklyn hold. McCormick hits a dropkick on Lauren Franklyn. Tiger suplex on Franklyn, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Lauren Franklyn gets knocked to the ground by McCormick, who is already climbing the turnbuckle. Through the air, Spotlight! 1....2....3. *** rating for a good bout. 80% overall.

We get a promo from Sonya Braddock going over her career in the WWE. It's been an era of domination and broken bodies as she's walked the road towards immortality. And even though the road gets a bump here and there, she's still left a broken body at its site. She says this as it's clear she won't be able to break Faith Connor's spirit or her will. Make no mistake, despite a First Blood and an I Quit match going down at Backlash, the biggest mess will be made by Sonya Braddock.

Fourth Match: Michael Hotbody vs. Daniel St. Croix
Hotbody hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Michael Hotbody scores with a back heel kick on St. Croix. Hard back suplex on St. Croix. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Flying elbow from Michael Hotbody. Daniel St. Croix comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Gut buster, Hotbody hits hard. Lightning kick by St. Croix on Hotbody. Hooks the leg for a two count. Daniel St. Croix misses a clothesline. Hotbody crushes St. Croix with a sweet running senton. There's a two count on the pin. Back heel kick off the second rope, St. Croix goes flying. Pin, but St. Croix is out just before the three count. St. Croix counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Double arm suplex by Daniel St. Croix, Hotbody hits hard. St. Croix drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Daniel St. Croix slugs Michael Hotbody, sending him down into the corner. While St. Croix fires up the crowd, Hotbody is removing the turnbuckle pad! Daniel St. Croix comes over...but Hotbody grabs him by the tights and uses the leverage to slingshot Daniel St. Croix face first into the exposed steel turnbuckle! Michael Hotbody rolls up the stunned Daniel St. Croix, and even puts his feet on the second rope to add insult to injury! 1....2...3! What a display of cheating from Michael Hotbody. Michael Hotbody leaves the ring and heads off down the aisle at speed. Hotbody has the victory, and isn't hanging around for Daniel St. Croix to look for revenge. *** rating, as it was good, but nothing too special. 79% overall.

Fifth Match: Mean & Greene vs. The Southern Gentlemen
Flying elbow from Brody Lee. Lee crushes Lonny with a running senton. There's a two count on the pin. Tag to Whiskey Murdock. Southern Gentlemen whip Lonny into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Spin kick by Whiskey Murdock to the face. Hooks the leg for a two count. Whiskey hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Lonny blocks the suplex attempt. Lonny pulls a jumping piledriver out! Lonny tags out to Caleb Greene. Running knee lift from Caleb Greene. Massive backbreaker, Whiskey got nailed. Whiskey Murdock comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Tag between Whiskey Murdock and Brody Lee. Lee crushes Caleb with a running senton. Slingshot senton by Lee, crushing the chest of Caleb. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Kick from Brody Lee to the leg. Caleb Greene powers out of a Brody Lee headlock. Driven full nelson slam on Lee. Caleb Greene has Brody Lee down on the canvas and is ascending the corner. Green With Envy!!! 1....2....3!! It's all over. I can't decide whether it's a *** or a ***1\2 match...let's go for a ***1\4 rating to make it fair. Richards and Greene look to be back on the same page again. 82% overall.

HUGO IS COMING!!!

Sixth Match: Mathias vs. Steve Hayes
Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Hayes crushes Mathias with a sweet running senton. There's a two count on the pin. Mathias kicks Steve Hayes in the gut to reverse the momentum. Mathias hits a right hand. Stun Gun from Mathias! There used to be this blonde guy in WCW in the early 90's who used that...i wonder what happened to him? Cover for a two count. Brutal seated powerbomb on Hayes. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Bodyslam by Mathias. Steve Hayes comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Hooks the leg for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Steve Hayes. Nicely done. Pin, but Mathias is out just before the three count. Steve Hayes hits a rolling kick on Mathias. Kick from Steve Hayes to the leg. Mathias powers out of a headlock. Big backdrop on Hayes, executed well. Lifting DDT by Mathias, executed well. Mathias has Steve Hayes down on the canvas. Full Nelson!!! Steve Hayes taps out! A good *** rating. 79% overall.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Miles Shawcross
Dropkick connects, Shawcross goes down. Miles Shawcross takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Demiras gets slammed. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Massive lariat, Shawcross really put some power into that. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Jordan Demiras pulls a mule kick out of nowhere. Second rope flying axe handle, Shawcross goes down. Demiras crushes Shawcross with a sweet running senton. There's a two count on the pin. Back heel kick off the second rope, Shawcross goes down. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Miles Shawcross fights out of a grapple. Reverse DDT into a backbreaker by Miles Shawcross, great move. Pin, but Demiras is out just before the three count. Demiras ducks a wild right hand. Jordan Demiras floors Miles Shawcross...and climbs the turnbuckles. Off the top - Axe Kick, forget about it. 1....2...3! I'll give this a ***1\4 rating. 81% overall.

Michael Hotbody looks to sneak into the ring for what are no doubt going to be no-good shenanigans but Demiras manages to catch him trying to come in and Hotbody decides discretion is the better part of valor here. He exchanges dirty looks with the cruiserweight champion as we go off the air.

Overall show rating: 79%

[Evil Vito]

Is Red Velvet as yummy as she sounds? :shifty:

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yiKIY0BUBD0/maxresdefault.jpg

[Evil Vito]

Ugh, it's another dud show....

Overall show rating: 79%

Again, when your dud shows are still pulling high 70s that's a really good sign that your guys are all super talented and have a high enough overness to offset whatever lethargy is coming out of the locker room that night.

I do hate the non-clicky shows with a passion. There's an element of realism there because I've definitely watched shows where everything that was booked seemed like it should work/be good but for whatever reason I wasn't feeling it. But when I've taken the time to sit down and book the show in game, bleh, it sucks to get that output. As far as I know it's just a 1 in 25 number generator and you never know when the bad luck will strike.

[M-A-G]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yiKIY0BUBD0/maxresdefault.jpg

Mmm...licking red velvet OFF OF Red Velvet....

And really, that's such an obvious awesome name I'm shocked I'm just hearing about it now as far as it being used for wrestling.

[Evil Vito]

Think she's on the verge of getting signed in real life as well, what's cool is a bunch of the Dark regulars gradually have worked their way up and gotten signed, so it's sorta like an in-house development.

[Evil Vito]

Red Velvet could've been a name in the old GLOW promotion.

[M-A-G]

Red Velvet could've been a name in the old GLOW promotion.

David Machlane isn't that clever.

[M-A-G]

Although I will give him props for Jacqueline Hyde. That was actually pretty good.

[M-A-G]

SmackDown!: April 27, 2040

Opening Match: Seth Von Kamp vs. Nathan Quinn
Running knee lift from Nathan Quinn. Von Kamp gets hit with a huge clothesline. There's a two count on the pin. Von Kamp reverses a Nathan Quinn hammerlock. Seth Von Kamp scores with a back heel kick on Quinn. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? There's a two count on the pin. DDT from the top rope by Seth Von Kamp. That looked brutal. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Second rope flying axe handle, Quinn goes down. Quinn kicks Seth Von Kamp in the gut to reverse the momentum. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Cover for a two count. Massive lariat, Quinn really put some power into that. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Quinn slams Seth Von Kamp down. Von Kamp gets slammed. Seth Von Kamp ducks a clothesline attempt. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Tiger suplex on Quinn, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Seth Von Kamp moves in for the kill. Collapse of Society! 1....2....3. Moses McKay comes running down the aisle with a chair, and gets into the ring! McKay hits Von Kamp with a chair to the back! Seth Von Kamp goes down to the canvas, hurt. A **** rating for a good contest. 90% overall.

Second Match: Alexander Piero vs. Doug Michaels
Stiff chop lights up Michaels. Stiff chop lights up Michaels. Piero slams Doug Michaels down. Big clothesline on Michaels. Doug Michaels elbows Alexander Piero in the face to break a hammerlock. Fallaway slam by Doug Michaels. Super frankensteiner on Piero, who hit hard. There's a two count on the pin. Piero counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Alexander Piero hits a bulldog off the ropes. There's a two count on the pin. Death valley driver by Alexander Piero, Doug Michaels got planted. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Michaels blocks the suplex attempt. Piero takes a headbutt from Doug Michaels. Piero counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Big backdrop on Michaels, executed well. Doug Michaels can barely stand. Here it comes - Flashpoint. 1....2...3, it's finished. That was good. **** rating. 87% overall.

Third Match: Carmella Costello and The Academy vs. Frankie and The British Infection
Frankie scores with a back heel kick on CiCi. Big backdrop on CiCi, executed well. Tag between Frankie and Adrian Gallagher. Running knee lift from Adrian Gallagher. Doctor Bomb, CiCi is hurt. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Adrian Gallagher and Nate Exley. The British Infection whip CiCi into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. Nate Exley snap suplexes CiCi...with authority! ('With authority', trademark G.Monsoon 1986.) Carmella Costello comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. CiCi slams Nate Exley down. CiCi tags out to Randy Ellis. Driven DDT by Randy Ellis. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Devastating Tiger Driver 91 very nearly crushes the neck of Exley. Misawa is probably laughing with glee at the moment. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Randy Ellis with a spinning neckbreaker on Exley. The Didact tags out to Justin Mitchell. Mitchell drives a forearm into the chest of Exley. Exley gets caught with a short powerbomb from Mitchell. Exley blocks a kick from Justin Mitchell. Exley tags out to Frankie. Big backdrop on Mitchell, executed well. Tag to Carmella Costello. Standing leg lariat by Carmella Costello on Frankie. Lightning kick by CiCi on Frankie. Brooke is at ringside! Frankie wastes valuable time by yelling at Brooke! Carmella Costello takes advantage of the distraction and nails Frankie from behind! Frankie gets knocked to the ground by CiCi, who is already climbing the turnbuckle. Off the top - Tumbleweed, forget about it. 1....2...3! It gets a ***1\2 rating. 86% overall.

Fourth Match: Quentin McDaniels vs. Stone Walsh
Walsh hits a dropkick on Quinten McDaniels. Super kick by Stone Walsh. Hooks the leg for a two count. McDaniels ducks a wild right hand. Dropkick connects, Walsh goes down. Gut buster, Walsh hits hard. There's a two count on the pin. Vicious kick to the teeth from Quinten McDaniels. Akira Maeda would be proud. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. McDaniels uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Walsh powers out of a headlock. Devastating face-first slam from Walsh on McDaniels. Cover for a two count. Brutal seated powerbomb on McDaniels. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Walsh slams Quinten McDaniels down. Walsh drives a forearm into the chest of McDaniels. McDaniels counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Flying shoulder tackle by McDaniels sends Walsh to the mat. Back heel kick off the second rope, Walsh goes down. Stone Walsh tries to get a big slam, but it is blocked when McDaniels goes to the eyes! Quinten McDaniels quickly scores with a field-goal kick between the legs! Stone Walsh collapses! The referee didn't see the illegal blow! 1...2...3! Stone Walsh got screwed! A **** rating for a good contest. 90% overall.

Martyn LaSalle has something to say about Quentin McDaniels. He's impressed, no question about it. He wants Quentin to know about how much LaSalle respects him and that the time they spent together as a team did mean a lot and it taught him a lot. One of the most important things he learned was when and when not to show mercy. Enemies will be enemies; he expects treachery from them. But a friend stabbing him in the back? Well, Quentin will find out the hard way at Backlash just how much mercy he'll get.

We get a promo from Faith Connors talking about her title match against Sonya Braddock this Sunday at Backlash. She talks about how she knows she can beat Braddock because she's done it before. She fully expects Braddock to be prepared and ready for a Faith Connors she's faced before. But Braddock should know by now that you don't face the same Faith Connors twice. She's more driven, more determined, more unpredictable, and, yes, even a little more crazy. No limits this Sunday, Braddock. Count on it!

Fifth Match: Michael Hotbody and Zed Jones vs. El Silencio and Isaac Wolff
Bodyslam by Silencio. Spine shattering vicious back suplex! Zed Jones got absolutely creamed. Cover for a two count. Tag to Isaac Wolff. Wolff \ Silencio whip Jones into the ropes and hit a double backdrop. Big backdrop on Jones, executed well. There's a two count on the pin. Jones takes a headbutt from Isaac Wolff. Zed Jones fights out of a grapple. Death valley driver by Zed Jones, Isaac Wolff got planted. Tag between Zed Jones and Michael Hotbody. Second rope flying axe handle, Wolff goes down. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Hotbody. Wolff kicks Michael Hotbody in the gut to reverse the momentum. Tag between Isaac Wolff and El Silencio. Gutwrench into a stomach breaker, Hotbody may be winded. Burning Hammer Drop from El Silencio, executed with perfect brutally. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Michael Hotbody walks into a stiff lariat clothesline from Silencio. Silencio drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Hotbody crushes Silencio with a running senton. Silencio scores with a forearm, sending Hotbody down into the corner. The referee pulls El Silencio away to get the break. Wait! Hotbody has pulled something out of his tights. El Silencio walks over...and gets floored by a punch! 1....2....3! The referee never saw the brass knuckles! Almost got a **** match, but was lacking in certain areas, so i'm knocking off half a star, so it gets a ***1\2 rating. 85% overall.

Romeo Valiente comes across Phoebe Hanson in the back and wants to get him some of that. Ozzy Mandias comes out to cock block because he thinks Romeo is a sleaze and a coward. Romeo fires back that he still hasn't forgotten being tossed by Ozzy in the cruiserweight Rumble. He'll be around to teach Ozzy some manners.

Sixth Match: WWE Intercontinental Champion Kyle Jacobs vs. Chris Collins
Stiff chop lights up Collins. Chris Collins ducks a clothesline attempt. Spinning back kick from Chris Collins. The referee bumps after catching a wild right hand and is down. Springboard dropkick from Chris Collins. Nicely done. Pinfall attempt, but the ref is conveniently laid out. Chris Collins gets taken down out of nowhere. Fallaway slam by Kyle Jacobs. Collins gets hit with a huge clothesline. There's a two count on the pin. Brutal seated powerbomb on Collins. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Collins blocks a kick from Kyle Jacobs. Jacobs walks into a stiff sit-out jaw breaker. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Collins walks into a trip. Kyle Jacobs signals for the Spinning Fallaway! Salvatore Scabbia comes out of the crowd and into the ring! Kyle Jacobs turns around....and gets floored with a chair shot! What impact! The referee calls for the DQ because of the interference of Big Sal! Collins and Big Sal are beating the hell out of Kyle Jacobs! Ryan Pattillo sprints down the aisle and slides into the ring! He goes toe-to-toe with Chris Collins, exchanging punches! He goes down quickly though when Big Sal clips the knee from behind! Collins \ Big Sal put the boots to Ryan Pattillo, and leave him down on the canvas next to Kyle Jacobs. What a demolition! A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall.

Seventh Match: WWE Unified Tag Team Champions The Future Foundation vs. The Play Pals
Merrick slams Gavin Jones. Big backdrop on Jones, executed well. There's a two count on the pin. Tag between Julian Merrick and Rick Hilton. Future Foundation whip Jones into the corner. Julian Merrick whips Rick Hilton in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Cover for a two count. Hilton slams Gavin Jones down. Hilton walks into a trip. Vicious lightning kick by Jones on Hilton. There's a two count on the pin. Tag between Gavin Jones and Michael Haywood. Big piledriver on Hilton. Pin, but Hilton is out just before the three count. Running knee lift from Michael Haywood. Hilton counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Big backdrop on Rage King, executed well. Tag between Rick Hilton and Julian Merrick. Julian Merrick fires off some right and left hands. Tag between Michael Haywood and Gavin Jones. Merrick slams Gavin Jones down. The Dillingers come running down the aisle and into the ring! Double clothesline...but Merrick ducks! Gavin Jones gets hit! The Dillingers leave the ring, holding their heads. Julian Merrick moves in for the kill. Black Sheep!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! A ****1\2 rating for a great match. 94% overall.

MAIN EVENT SEGMENT: Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael comes down in a pissy mood. He's upset about what transpired on Raw. He got banged up pretty bad but he's here and ready to go at Backlash. The only downside is that he has to report that he has no clue as to who it was that took him out. Could it have been Xavier Cross? Carmichael seems to think so as he had every reason to be mad at Haven last week and a reason to be afraid of what was going to happen to him if he had faced Carmichael on Raw. It would've even been worse than what Haven did. Then again, maybe this has been all one big ruse perpetrated by someone who has been known as a master of deception and manipulation and head games. Maybe, just maybe, there's a certain someone who knows they won't be able to get the job done come Backlash and wants some kind of shortcut to the title. Maybe no one ever touched Haven last week and this is all so everyone can run around like chickens without a head, paranoid and on the verge of snapping. Well, mission accomplished because Carmichael is certainly ready to snap. The only problem is that it's going to be taken out on Haven's creepy ass this Sunday...

...CUE HAVEN HIMSELF! He enters the ring and gets up in Carmichael's grill. Haven doesn't buy into the bravado that everybody likes to throw around here and Carmichael is no different. Haven thinks Carmichael is the one faking everything because he knows how vulnerable his championship reign is. Carmichael asks if Haven is calling him a liar. No, says Haven. He's calling Carmichael a coward. This sets off Carmichael AND WE HAVE A BRAWL ON OUR HANDS! We go off the air with the two combatants going at it!

Overall show rating: 87%

SEE YOU AT BACKLASH!

[M-A-G]

Again, when your dud shows are still pulling high 70s that's a really good sign that your guys are all super talented and have a high enough overness to offset whatever lethargy is coming out of the locker room that night.

I do hate the non-clicky shows with a passion. There's an element of realism there because I've definitely watched shows where everything that was booked seemed like it should work/be good but for whatever reason I wasn't feeling it. But when I've taken the time to sit down and book the show in game, bleh, it sucks to get that output. As far as I know it's just a 1 in 25 number generator and you never know when the bad luck will strike.

When the worst match on the card is **3/4 I guess nobody should complain.

[Evil Vito]

87% show rating, hot damn, now THAT’s how you book a go-home show

[M-A-G]

I should pick a PPV where you tell me what the card should be and I have to book my way into making that card a reality. It'd have to be something after SummerSlam because I've got certain things already locked in.

[Evil Vito]

Oh snap I think I remember doing something like that way back in the day :cool:

[Evil Vito]

Time to push the librarian luchadore El Silencio!

[M-A-G]

Hey, how'd you know that was his gimmick? :shifty:

[M-A-G]

Backlash 2040!!!

Pre-Show Match: Carmella and Ronnie Costello vs. Ozzy Mandias and Phoebe Hanson
Second rope flying axe handle, CiCi goes down. Springboard reverse elbow by Ozzy Mandias. Excellent move. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag to Phoebe Hanson. Phoebe \ Oz whip CiCi into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. Spin kick by Phoebe Hanson to the face. Cover for a two count. Phoebe hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Phoebe only gets knees on a splash. Springboard dropkick from Carmella Costello. Nicely done. CiCi tags out to Ronnie Costello. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Costello crushes Phoebe with a sweet running senton. Phoebe backdrops Ronnie Costello out of a piledriver attempt. Tag to Ozzy Mandias. Spinning bulldog in the corner, Costello is down. Springboard dropkick from Ozzy Mandias. Nicely done. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Costello walks into a high dropkick from Ozzy Mandias. Ronnie Costello reverses a hip toss. Beautiful spinning arm drag out of the corner by Costello. Romeo Valiente comes running down the aisle and into the ring! Ozzy Mandias turns around.... and gets floored! Romeo Valiente climbs the turnbuckles. Off the top - Casanova Crush!!! Valiente leaves the ring, the damage done! Cover gets three. Ronnie Costello pinned Oz. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

WINNERS: Carmella and Ronnie Costello

SHOW BEGINS NOW!!!

Opening Match: WWE Unified Tag Team Titles
The Future Foundation (c) vs. The Play Pals vs. The Dillingers vs. The Academy
Back suplex on Rage King, which is a backdrop to you NOAH fans. Back elbow connects, Rage King staggers backward. Tag to Randy Ellis. Randy Ellis scores with a back heel kick on Rage King. Hooks the leg for a two count. Rage King pushes out of a Randy Ellis hold. Rage King tags out to Julian Merrick. Fallaway slam by Julian Merrick. Massive backbreaker, The Didact got nailed. Merrick tags out to Rick Hilton. Future Foundation whip The Didact into the ropes and hit a double clothesline. There's a two count on the pin. The Didact reverses a Rick Hilton hammerlock. Hilton walks into a high dropkick from Randy Ellis. Tag to Joey Dillinger. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Cover for a two count. Tag between Rick Hilton and Randy Ellis. The Didact hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Joey reverses a Randy Ellis hammerlock. Joey pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Randy Ellis down to the mat. Pin, three count, it's over. Joey Dillinger pins The Didact. Dropkick connects, Joey goes down. DDT from the top rope by Gavin Jones. That looked brutal. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Tag between Gavin Jones and Julian Merrick. Running knee lift from Julian Merrick. Tag to Michael Haywood. Super kick by Michael Haywood. Vicious kick to the teeth from Michael Haywood. Akira Maeda would be proud. Pin, three count, it's over. Michael Haywood pins Joey. Flying spear out of the corner! Rage King nearly got snapped in two. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Flying shoulder tackle by Hilton sends Rage King to the mat. Hilton walks into a trip. Flying elbow from Michael Haywood. Cover for a two count. Tag to Gavin Jones. The Play Pals whip Hilton into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Flying elbow from Gavin Jones. Rick Hilton powers out of a Gavin Jones headlock. Hilton tags out to Julian Merrick. Big piledriver on Jones. Brutal seated powerbomb on Jones. Julian Merrick moves in for the kill. Here it comes - Black Sheep. 1....2...3, it's finished. A ****1\2 rating for a great match. 96% overall.

WINNERS: The Future Foundation to retain the championship.

Second Match: WWE Cruiserweight Title
Jordan Demiras (c) vs. Michael Hotbody
Hotbody bodyslams Jordan Demiras. Standing leg lariat by Michael Hotbody on Demiras. Hard back suplex on Demiras. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Driven DDT by Michael Hotbody. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Hotbody walks into a trip. Driven DDT by Jordan Demiras. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Demiras crushes Hotbody with a running senton. Cover for a two count. Hotbody reverses a Jordan Demiras hammerlock. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. There's a two count on the pin. Flying spear out of the corner! Demiras nearly got snapped in two. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Demiras blocks a kick from Michael Hotbody. Demiras hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Michael Hotbody takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Second rope flying axe handle, Demiras goes down. Jordan Demiras has lost it! He floors Michael Hotbody and starts raining down punches like a psycho! The referee tries to break it up...and gets thrown to one side. The referee is calling for the DQ! Demiras has caused a DQ through his hatred of Michael Hotbody. Zed Jones grabs Michael Hotbody and slides out of the ring to the floor, then turns and leaves through the crowd. He's happy to have the win, and evidently isn't going to hang around for Demiras to get some payback. That was good. **** rating. 89% overall.

WINNER: Michael Hotbody via DQ.

Third Match: Ryan Pattillo vs. Chris Collins
Stiff high kick on Collins by Ryan Pattillo who has evidently been watching some old AJPW tapes recently. Pattillo drops an elbow...but misses. Fate can be so cruel. Chris Collins strikes Pattillo. Chris Collins misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee by mistake. Springboard dropkick from Chris Collins. Nicely done. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Ryan Pattillo ducks a clothesline attempt. Pattillo uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Collins gets hit with a huge clothesline. Hooks the leg for a two count. Collins walks into a face-first flapjack. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Collins counters a backdrop attempt with a kick to the face. Super frankensteiner on Pattillo, who hit hard. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Collins only gets knees on a splash. Chris Collins can barely stand. The Shutdown! 1....2....3. A **** rating for a good contest. 87% overall.

WINNER: Ryan Pattillo via pin.

Fourth Match: I Quit Match
Quentin McDaniels vs. Martyn LaSalle
McDaniels walks into a spike slam. Quinten McDaniels ducks a clothesline attempt. Big forearm by Quinten McDaniels, ripping a page from the NOAH playbook. Quinten McDaniels with a spinning neckbreaker on LaSalle. McDaniels uses a basement dropkick to the knee. Martyn LaSalle reverses a hip toss. McDaniels gets hit with a huge clothesline. Tiger suplex on McDaniels, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Driven DDT by Martyn LaSalle. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. McDaniels ducks a wild right hand. LaSalle gets caught with a short powerbomb from McDaniels. Corkscrew brainbuster suplex, McDaniels hit it well. McDaniels floors Martyn LaSalle and proceeds to pound away mercilessly with a chair. The referee stops the match as LaSalle is in no condition to continue. The match is over. Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 91% overall.

WINNER: Quentin McDaniels via ref stoppage.

Fifth Match: WWE Women's Title
Sonya Braddock (c) vs. Faith Connors
Stiff chop lights up Faith. Braddock hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Hard impact russian legsweep by Braddock as Faith just bumps like a madwoman. If you're going to get impact, 'hard' is probably a good way to go. Flying shoulder tackle by Braddock sends Faith to the mat. Faith Connors comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Legsweep out of Nowhere. Where is Nowhere, and why do moves keep coming out of there? Does it have a factory? Doctor Bomb, Braddock is hurt. Cover for a two count. Faith Connors misses a clothesline. Faith gets hit with a huge clothesline. Hooks the leg for a two count. Lifting DDT by Sonya Braddock, executed well. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Faith blocks the suplex attempt. Dropkick connects, Braddock goes down. Faith sets up for the Mirror's Edge (:shifty:) but Braddock lands the Left Hand of God right as Faith's knee connects. The referee count to ten, with Braddock barely making it back to her feet then calls for the bell. Faith gets counted out. That was good. **** rating. 90% overall

WINNER: Sonya Braddock by countout to retain.

Sixth Match: WWE Intercontinental Title
Kyle Jacobs (c) vs. Salvatore Scabbia
Kyle Jacobs with a spinning neckbreaker on Big Sal. Jacobs pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Salvatore Scabbia down to the mat. Hooks the leg for a two count. Salvatore Scabbia comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Salvatore Scabbia strikes Jacobs. Second rope flying axe handle, Jacobs goes down. Hooks the leg for a two count. Back heel kick off the second rope, Jacobs goes down. Pin, but Jacobs is out just before the three count. Driven DDT by Salvatore Scabbia. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. Jacobs kicks Salvatore Scabbia in the gut to reverse the momentum. Ring-shaking slam on Big Sal. Hooks the leg for a two count. Flying clothesline by Jacobs. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Flying shoulder tackle by Jacobs sends Big Sal to the mat. Stiff chop lights up Big Sal. Salvatore Scabbia takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Big Sal hits a dropkick on Kyle Jacobs. Springboard dropkick from Salvatore Scabbia. Nicely done. Brooke is at ringside! Jacobs wastes valuable time by yelling at Brooke! Salvatore Scabbia takes advantage of the distraction and nails Jacobs from behind! Kyle Jacobs gets knocked to the ground by Big Sal. Omerta!!! Kyle Jacobs taps out! Great match, a ****1\4 rating i think. 92% overall.

WINNER: Salvatore Scabbia by submission to become THE NEW Intercontinental champion for a second time.

Seventh Match: First Blood
Seth Von Kamp vs. Moses McKay
Spinning back kick from Seth Von Kamp. McKay tastes a high angle back suplex. It probably tasted like chicken. Von Kamp uses a basement dropkick to the knee. McKay powers out of a headlock. Flying cross body off the top rope! Even Steamboat would have applauded the execution on that. Von Kamp blocks the suplex attempt. Spinning bulldog in the corner, McKay is down. Tiger suplex on McKay, right from out of the Misawa playbook. McKay blocks a kick from Seth Von Kamp. Kick from Moses McKay to the leg. Seth Von Kamp fights out of a grapple. Hard back suplex on McKay. Anyone remember when that was Shawn Michaels's finisher? Von Kamp picks up a chair. Moses McKay turns around...and gets smashed over the head with it! That has to be at least a 0. 1 on the Muta scale. The referee sees blood, and this match is over! Moses McKay slides out of the ring to the floor, then turns and leaves through the crowd. Obviously he's had enough for one night. A ****1\4 rating, great bout. 93% overall.

WINNER: Seth Von Kamp

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Title
Noah Carmichael (c) vs. Haven
Haven receives some punishment. Haven blocks a kick from Noah Carmichael. Standing leg lariat by Haven on Wildcard. We have our mandatory ref bump, as he goes down after accidentally getting caught by an elbow to the face. Brutal seated powerbomb on Wildcard. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Haven misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Fallaway slam by Noah Carmichael. Powerful Spear by Noah Carmichael. Hooks the leg for a two count. Noah Carmichael drills Haven with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Cover, but there's a last second kick-out. Haven pushes out of a Noah Carmichael hold. Wildcard walks into a spike slam. Pin, but Wildcard is out just before the three count. Wildcard pushes out of a Haven hold. WAIT A MINUTE!!! Someone just slid into the ring out of nowhere! He has a chair, and drops Wildcard and Haven with devastating blows, causing the referee to call for the bell. This match has been ruled a no contest! This person is still holding a chair as he looks over the carnage. He unmasks himself...WTF?!?!?!?! IT'S BUTCH FLEMING!!! HE'S BACK AFTER A YEAR-LONG ABSENCE!!! WHAT THE HELL??? Wildcard walks over...and gets floored with a hard shot. Haven also takes a hard shot. Fleming has laid everybody out! A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall.

No winner.

Overall show rating: 91%

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT FOR RAW!!!

[Evil Vito]

Holy fuck, that opener........

Feel like I'd be booing the ending ferociously, not because of the no contest but because of Butch Fleming and his racist ass tweets! Best heel in the business!

I give you credit for not just filling the post-WM PPV card with endless Mania rematches.
Plenty of unresolved business for a lot of people after this one, which is perfect for a show like Backlash. Excellent show.

[M-A-G]

To be fair, it wasn't necessarily racist. It was more along the lines of "Hey, you! Get off my lawn!"

[M-A-G]

As an addendum, if you have super talented teams and they have a high enough team experience, just slap them all together in a four way and you're practically guaranteed **** or more. Both the Dillingers and the Play Pals are at 100 each so that helps.

[M-A-G]

Got a 1.93 buy rate for the show, up from WrestleMania actually. That Michael Hotbody is gold, I tell you!!!

[Evil Vito]

Well, he IS hot

[M-A-G]

I'm more than likely going to do Raw tonight but then give myself a slight break. Judgment Day isn't as set in stone as I thought. I've got three matches in mind, guaranteed but picking and choosing who's getting a PPV payout this time around is going to be tough.

[M-A-G]

Scratch that...FOUR matches are in mind. Attribute this to your factual observation that Michael Hotbody is indeed hot and is due another shot at the Cruiserweight Title.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah I'm hoping to book my first show tonight, last night's Dynamite kinda gives me a few announced matches to work with and I can launch right into it from there.

Revolution got pushed back to March 7 but since I'm bending the rules I'm keeping it where it originally was (well actually, a day earlier, Saturday February 27). AEW usually do their PPVs on Saturdays but are moving it to Sundays this time due to conflict with a UFC PPV, not an issue in this universe.

Only announced match so far is Team Taz' Brian Cage and Ricky Starks going up against Darby Allin and STING in a street fight. May or may night be a cinematic type dealie as most promotions have done at some point or another in the COVID era, not that a 61 year old Sting can work a proper match anymore anyway. Pretty sure EWR won't be too kind to that match from a quality standpoint but such is to be expected.

I have no idea if Kenny Omega is defending against Jon Moxley or PAC. Suppose I can decide now! :cool:

[Evil Vito]

I simmed my first AEW Dark since, technically, it would've already been taped in real life. And besides, I wanted to start on a Dynamite. I'm willing to bring back some people that may not currently be willing to travel during the pandemic, but I will also try to honor injuries. AEW isn't always clear on timelines for injuries but at bare minimum I know that Penta and Trent will be out for a while, so I'll try to work around their absences as best I can.

Besides that, for this first Dynamite I'm going to largely honor what they've already announced and booked for next week, and I'll take it from there while just kinda writing off one story I have no interest in booking/can't book anyway cause it involves someone not in the game.

---

AEW Dynamite: Beach Break - February 3, 2021

Opening Segment

The show opens with the ring set up for a wedding...quite the way for me to make my debut as a booker don't you think? Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford were meant to get married on this show, but you know weddings and wrestling shows don't mix! Chuck Taylor, forced to be "The Best Man" Miro's servant until the wedding, served as the ring bearer for tonight's festivities, but upon opening the little briefcase he had meant to contain the rings, the orange spray blasted the entire wedding party. That can only mean one man! Orange Cassidy hits the ring and he and Chuckie T have themselves a brew-ha-ha with Kip and Miro. All the wedding garb in the ring is quickly destroyed, the faces eventually get out of there and an enraged Miro press slams the justice of the peace, because why not? I suspect this will be the first and last wedding AEW ever attempt! 79% rating

First Match:

Hangman Adam Page looks to continue his winning ways, this time against Angélico. They had a spirited contest but it was frequently marred by attempted interference by Angélico's tag team partner, Jack Evans! He tries to get involved one time too many and it backfires, as Evans is kicked off the apron and Page finishes off Angélico with the Buckshot Lariat. After the match, TH2 attempt to beat down Page but Page is able to rally back. Just as it looks like he has the situation in hand, Matt Hardy emerges to help finish running TH2 out. **1/2, 68% rating

Matt Hardy reminds Hangman Page about what he said last week - he knows Hangman's felt abandoned by his friends before, but he hopes he showed tonight that he can count on him. The announcers of course mention that he ran out conspicuously late. 85% rating

Second Match:

A 20-man, tag team battle royal - both members of a team have to be eliminated in order for the team to be gone. The surviving team gets an AEW World Tag Team Title shot at Revolution. The Inner Circle entered this match with the clear numbers advantage with three teams in the mix: Santana/Ortiz, Sammy/Hager, and Jericho/MJF. Sensing that was the case, many of the other teams attempted to band together to whittle the group down as best they could, easier said than done with so many men in there to break up eliminations.

It came down to Inner Circle members MJF, Santana, and Ortiz being in there against Dustin Rhodes of the Natural Nightmares. Dustin tried his hardest to overcome the odds, but as Santana and Ortiz got him over the ropes on the verge of elimination, MJF snuck behind and dumped the whole group of them out! The announcers pointed out this is the same stunt MJF pulled on fellow Inner Circle member Sammy Guevara in the Dynamite Diamond battle royal in December, MJF's relentless reign of being an absolute prick continues. Scott Keith doesn't rate battle royals, 67% rating


We have an interview with Cody Rhodes. His wife's planned showdown with Jade Cargill had to be put on hold due to Brandi's maternity leave, and Shaq is too wrapped up in his basketball coverage career to face him, so he's back to the drawing board with trying to find his next challenge. He issues an open challenge for next week on Dynamite. 82% rating

Third Match:

Darby Allin faced off against Ricky Starks of Team Taz. Everyone was banned from ringside from this one, but if you know how much Team Taz hate Darby you know that wasn't going to hold up. After a back and forth contest, Darby had the match won the the Coffin Drop only for Brian Cage to pull him outside the ring and ram him into the steel steps for the disqualification! Team Taz did a beatdown until the lights went out and Sting emerged in the ring, baseball bat in hand to back the heels off. These two sides will clash in a street fight at Revolution. **, 62% rating

Last week, Eddie Kingston snuck out a win over Lance Archer thanks to interference from The Family. We see additional footage showing Archer and his manager Jake "The Snake" Roberts being assaulted again by The Family backstage, Jake in particular needing medical staff to attend to him. What a dastardly act by The Family! 78% rating

The Inner Circle have an interview where Jericho and MJF gloat over their battle royal victory and tell the Young Bucks to enjoy these last few weeks with the tag belts. The Debonaire Duo take turns complimenting each other as the other members of Inner Circle roll their eyes in the background 82% Overall

Fourth Match:

Dr. Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa had been at each other's throats for the past two months, and they finally got their chance to settle their disputes in the ring. A well placed cheap shot with a heel ended up netting Britt the win, but despite the loss Rosa had a great showing for herself, struggling to the ropes to withstand the Lock Jaw. Before the announcers could speculate on if either of these women could be in line for a title match - HOLY SHIT it's Awesome Kong! We haven't seen her in nearly a year! Awesome Bomb to both ladies and she has made an emphatic return! **, 64% rating

Awesome Kong wastes no time getting on the microphone and telling everyone she spent her time in quarantine figuring out more ways to cripple her opponents, and she made it no secret - she's coming for Hikaru Shida! 82% rating

Main Event:

Death Triangle members PAC and Rey Fénix looked to avenge their fallen comrade Penta El Zero Miedo as team with Jon Moxley who also has a score to settle with The Elite. Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers controlled a lot of the match, particularly working over Fénix who sold his ass off like always. Omega in particular was quick to tag out of the ring whenever PAC or Moxley got brought in. As is per usual with a trios match, it all eventually turned into a pier six brawl. Fénix and PAC leaped at Gallows and Omega on the outside with reckless abandon, as Moxley finished off Karl Anderson with a Paradigm Shift to grab the win. ***, 75% rating

74% show rating

---

After the show, Hangman sends me an e-mail saying that he and Angélico don't really click. Yeah, I figured that...but with so many guys in the battle royal I had to put him against somebody.

All told, I'm happy with a 74% to start. Much as I enjoy AEW personally, the overness ratings and default stats aren't kind to a lot of my midcard/lower midcard guys so it'll take time to build up the overness and figure out who gels with who. Until then, the segments and interviews should help carry my shows. If my feuds build to a good PPV, that's a win in EWR land.

[M-A-G]

AEW Dynamite: Beach Break - February 3, 2021


This had better have Sid Vicious or a motorboat exploding....



Opening Segment

The show opens with the ring set up for a wedding...quite the way for me to make my debut as a booker don't you think? Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford were meant to get married on this show, but you know weddings and wrestling shows don't mix! Chuck Taylor, forced to be "The Best Man" Miro's servant until the wedding, served as the ring bearer for tonight's festivities, but upon opening the little briefcase he had meant to contain the rings, the orange spray blasted the entire wedding party. That can only mean one man! Orange Cassidy hits the ring and he and Chuckie T have themselves a brew-ha-ha with Kip and Miro. All the wedding garb in the ring is quickly destroyed, the faces eventually get out of there and an enraged Miro press slams the justice of the peace, because why not? I suspect this will be the first and last wedding AEW ever attempt! 79% rating

Hmmm...a lot of fuss over wanting to marry Penelope....

https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/6dea071d45d5babc15cd9151b07a590b-1.jpg


...yeah, that checks out.


First Match:

Hangman Adam Page looks to continue his winning ways, this time against Angélico. They had a spirited contest but it was frequently marred by attempted interference by Angélico's tag team partner, Jack Evans! He tries to get involved one time too many and it backfires, as Evans is kicked off the apron and Page finishes off Angélico with the Buckshot Lariat. After the match, TH2 attempt to beat down Page but Page is able to rally back. Just as it looks like he has the situation in hand, Matt Hardy emerges to help finish running TH2 out. **1/2, 68% rating

Matt Hardy reminds Hangman Page about what he said last week - he knows Hangman's felt abandoned by his friends before, but he hopes he showed tonight that he can count on him. The announcers of course mention that he ran out conspicuously late. 85% rating



Not that bad of an opener. And of course Matt Hardy is a trustworthy and stand up guy. It's not like he would ever turn on his own brother...twice...



Second Match:

A 20-man, tag team battle royal - both members of a team have to be eliminated in order for the team to be gone. The surviving team gets an AEW World Tag Team Title shot at Revolution. The Inner Circle entered this match with the clear numbers advantage with three teams in the mix: Santana/Ortiz, Sammy/Hager, and Jericho/MJF. Sensing that was the case, many of the other teams attempted to band together to whittle the group down as best they could, easier said than done with so many men in there to break up eliminations.


Can I just say that I do this from time to time, also? I HATE that retarded rule the WWE would have of "Oh, one team member got eliminated so the other guy has to go, too". WHAT FUCKING SENSE DOES THAT MAKE???


We have an interview with Cody Rhodes. His wife's planned showdown with Jade Cargill had to be put on hold due to Brandi's maternity leave, and Shaq is too wrapped up in his basketball coverage career to face him, so he's back to the drawing board with trying to find his next challenge. He issues an open challenge for next week on Dynamite. 82% rating

Oh, woe is Cody, with his hot wife willing to have his child...:roll:



Third Match:

Darby Allin faced off against Ricky Starks of Team Taz. Everyone was banned from ringside from this one, but if you know how much Team Taz hate Darby you know that wasn't going to hold up. After a back and forth contest, Darby had the match won the the Coffin Drop only for Brian Cage to pull him outside the ring and ram him into the steel steps for the disqualification! Team Taz did a beatdown until the lights went out and Sting emerged in the ring, baseball bat in hand to back the heels off. These two sides will clash in a street fight at Revolution. **, 62% rating


Oh, man, I don't know how to feel about Sting these days. Sure, it seems like a waste for him to be involved in another promotion right now but do we really want his WWE run to be the last thing for which we remember him?


Last week, Eddie Kingston snuck out a win over Lance Archer thanks to interference from The Family. We see additional footage showing Archer and his manager Jake "The Snake" Roberts being assaulted again by The Family backstage, Jake in particular needing medical staff to attend to him. What a dastardly act by The Family! 78% rating

Good, wholesome beatdowns on wrestling legends is always fun. Were this the WWE, Roberts would have managed to DDT everyone and then Rikishi would show up for no reason and they'd all dance.


The Inner Circle have an interview where Jericho and MJF gloat over their battle royal victory and tell the Young Bucks to enjoy these last few weeks with the tag belts. The Debonaire Duo take turns complimenting each other as the other members of Inner Circle roll their eyes in the background 82% Overall

It's actually Debonair, not unless they purposefully spell it that way in real life. I'm not one to talk. I have Eclypse and Wrakk on my roster.


Fourth Match:

Dr. Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa had been at each other's throats for the past two months, and they finally got their chance to settle their disputes in the ring. A well placed cheap shot with a heel ended up netting Britt the win, but despite the loss Rosa had a great showing for herself, struggling to the ropes to withstand the Lock Jaw. Before the announcers could speculate on if either of these women could be in line for a title match - HOLY SHIT it's Awesome Kong! We haven't seen her in nearly a year! Awesome Bomb to both ladies and she has made an emphatic return! **, 64% rating

Awesome Kong wastes no time getting on the microphone and telling everyone she spent her time in quarantine figuring out more ways to cripple her opponents, and she made it no secret - she's coming for Hikaru Shida! 82% rating

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/Britt_Baker_backstage_interview.png

You know you're making it harder for me to continue swearing off wrestling. "Making it harder" being the key phrase...



Main Event:

Death Triangle members PAC and Rey Fénix looked to avenge their fallen comrade Penta El Zero Miedo as team with Jon Moxley who also has a score to settle with The Elite. Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers controlled a lot of the match, particularly working over Fénix who sold his ass off like always. Omega in particular was quick to tag out of the ring whenever PAC or Moxley got brought in. As is per usual with a trios match, it all eventually turned into a pier six brawl. Fénix and PAC leaped at Gallows and Omega on the outside with reckless abandon, as Moxley finished off Karl Anderson with a Paradigm Shift to grab the win. ***, 75% rating


LOL, when I first saw the name PAC on your roster I immediately thought it was Sean Waltman doing another iteration of himself. I remember having a team called the Paradigm but like an idiot I never called their finisher the Paradigm Shift. For some reason I called it the Daydream. :wtf: Anyways, strong finish to the show.


After the show, Hangman sends me an e-mail saying that he and Angélico don't really click. Yeah, I figured that...but with so many guys in the battle royal I had to put him against somebody.

Clearly the solution is to book them against each other for 7 weeks until they learn to click. THAT'S HOW BILL WATTS WOULD'VE HANDLED THESE WHINERS!!!

All told, I'm happy with a 74% to start. Much as I enjoy AEW personally, the overness ratings and default stats aren't kind to a lot of my midcard/lower midcard guys so it'll take time to build up the overness and figure out who gels with who. Until then, the segments and interviews should help carry my shows. If my feuds build to a good PPV, that's a win in EWR land.

74% is pretty good. That's about the right level to be at for a National level promotion. I know you intend to stick pretty close to what AEW does in real life as far as production goes but do you see yourself possibly trying to get another show?

[Evil Vito]

74% is pretty good. That's about the right level to be at for a National level promotion. I know you intend to stick pretty close to what AEW does in real life as far as production goes but do you see yourself possibly trying to get another show?

I might have to at some point. I mean I always have Dark and can throw people on there when I need to, but it's a YouTube show and not anything that will actually generate any revenue for me. Supposedly AEW's looking into adding an hour somewhere but no word yet on what the nature of the show would be.

One thing that AEW does that I'll have to deviate from a bit is that they do a nice job of varying up who wrestles each week. You might get one or two guys wrestling on consecutive Dynamites but the rest will alternate between matches, promos, and angles as they try to get everyone in their fairly large roster screen time.

In AEW land though, you can't really book that way without pissing off your upper midcarders/main eventers, which is why I always eventually resorted to the pseudo cheat of converting those upper card guys into managers, they'd no longer complain about having a few weeks off. It was basically a necessity in WWE games as EWR was not built to handle a roster split. Main eventers want to be used one in every three shows and sometimes I had 4 shows in a given week, meaning a guaranteed pissed off main eventer if they ever had a break.

Between two Dynamites and Dark (where I can always throw a big name into a match or do a promo video) there should at least be something to let me keep morale up. All bets are off whenever I add another TV show though.

Similarly, I rarely used the in-game feud system when I was running that many shows, it didn't work. Should be workable now with the slight annoyance that I can't really blow the feuds off by Revolution in 4 weeks because "not enough time will have passed". I'd like to eventually time it so that my next big PPV in May can be a blow off for whatever feuds I have going then.

[Evil Vito]

In terms of storylines I've kept:

-I went through the Kip/Penelope wedding with the prerequisite hijinx. I don't want AEW doing wedding segments, but I won't kill them for a one-off since they've built up enough goodwill with me. I continue the angle and look for a chance to make Miro a killer at some point.

-Adam Page is still dejected about being booted from The Elite, he turned down the now popular Dark Order because he didn't want to join another group so soon, now "Big Money" Matt Hardy is trying to tempt him into joining his stable.

-They were all in the battle royal but FTR and Jurassic Express have an ongoing feud, I didn't book it as an in-game feud due to space but I'll try to see that to conclusion.

-Sting being Darby's mentor and feuding with Team Taz continues on from real life. If their match at Revolution flops it might be the first and last time I book Sting to wrestle.

-The main event stuff remains intact. I truly have no idea who between Mox and PAC is getting the next title shot. Easy money is probably Mox but PAC is so fucking good too.

Stuff I changed:

-The Cody/Jade angle. First off, Shaq is gonna have involvement in the PPV as they leverage the TNT relationship. Not really interested in seeing him, BUT I get it because celebrity involvement benefits a company of AEW's level. That said, he's not in this game. Funny enough, I mentioned Red Velvet getting a push - she was probably going to get a match at Revolution in this whole thing. But her stats aren't usable, and neither are Jade Cargill's. Jade has no charisma but looks like a million bucks. She hasn't wrestled yet so I have no idea how she is in the ring, but her starting stats are the shits so I've sent her to development and quietly pivoted.

-Didn't totally end the Family/Archer and Roberts story, but I put it on pause with the injury angle as I wanna try something else with Kingston.

-I don't think Awesome Kong is coming back any time soon, if at all. She left to film the last season of GLOW, then the pandemic happened and the show got cancelled. Screw it, she's on the roster and I'm a mark for her so she's coming back.

[M-A-G]

I wonder if Vince and company feel betrayed by Shaq. Could you imagine if all of their favorites over the years like William Shatner, Ozzy Osbourne, Cyndi Lauper, Donald Trump, and Snoop Dogg just stuck it to the WWE by only doing AEW shows? :lol:

[Evil Vito]

I wonder if Vince and company feel betrayed by Shaq. Could you imagine if all of their favorites over the years like William Shatner, Ozzy Osbourne, Cyndi Lauper, Donald Trump, and Snoop Dogg just stuck it to the WWE by only doing AEW shows? :lol:

Funny you mention that...

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/U4xwulYXDTM/maxresdefault.jpg

Mike Tyson too.

https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/05/Screen-Shot-2020-05-28-at-09.08.51.png?strip=all&w=626&quality=100

Fuck Trump, though.

[M-A-G]

I'd make a joke about how haggard Tyson looks but even at his age I'm sure he'd still be able to destroy me.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah despite also growing his own weed, Tyson's aged far more than Snoop. Still would fuck up most, though.

Not really upset that his AEW angle got dropped (because he wanted to go back to boxing). I don't mind the odd celebrity cameo here and there but I don't ever want it to turn into the focus of an episode.

[M-A-G]

Raw: April 30, 2040

It's the final Raw of the month and we're on the road to Judgment Day! We open with the way last night ended, the returning Butch Fleming in the center of the ring, glaring out to the crowd. "One year," he begins. "One whole year. Let me ask you people something: what do you think you'd be able to accomplish in one year? That promotion you've always wanted? Maybe adding another mouth to feed to your family? Graduating from college? Well all of that is small potatoes compared to the year I would've had. I would have broken Noah Carmichael once and for all and reclaimed my Unified World Title. I would have conquered the King of the Ring, Haven and left him a broken mess, too. So really, last night, what I did to both of those pretenders was just me playing catch up. And now I'm ready to get back into gear. If I'm not mistaken, I was due a championship match before my unfortunate exile and I am using this time to demand that match at Judgment Day. I intend to make everyone pay for ever forgetting about me."

Wait a sec! Michael Hotbody's music hits and sure enough the man himself swaggers down to the ring. He wants to let Butch Fleming know that he feels his pain. "If there's one person around here that knows what it's like to not be declared a rightful champion, it's me, your WWE Cruiserweight Champion-elect! Don't hurt your heads too much thinking about it, it's totally a real thing. The only person that's a phony around here is that coward Jordan Demiras who flipped out last night for no reason! He's lucky that Zed Jones was there to take me away from that because I wasn't going to tolerate being screwed out of the championship by a lunatic like him! He has no business calling himself a champion and I'm so glad that you, Butch Fleming, want to support me in this."

"Son, who the hell are you?", Fleming asks. "You know, forget it. I don't care. I've said what I needed to say. The only real problem is Carmichael isn't out here right now because if he were I'd lay him out like the pathetic dog that he is for thinking he could carry my company!"

Well, ask and ye shall receive as the Unified World Champion himself runs down to the ring looking full of piss and vinegar. He shoves Hotbody out of his way and gets right into it with Fleming. Hotbody nervously watches the two going at it but decides to land a low blow on Carmichael from behind. The champion is at the mercy of the two heels!

WAIT A MINUTE! The Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras runs down to try to even the odds! It's not long however before he's overwhelmed by Fleming and Hotbody and both champions are down at their feet.

First Match: Mean & Greene (Lonny Richards and Caleb Greene) vs. The Sin City Rollers (Luis Ortega and Vic Gambler)
Bodyslam by Ortega. Super frankensteiner on Lonny, who hit hard. Cover for a two count. Tag between Luis Ortega and Vic Gambler. The Sin City Rollers whip Lonny into the corner. Vic Gambler whips Luis Ortega in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Gambler hits a dropkick on Lonny Richards. Hooks the leg for a two count. Gambler drives a forearm into the chest of Lonny. Lonny Richards comes up with a right hand out of nowhere. Gambler walks into a face-first flapjack. Tag to Caleb Greene. Fallaway slam by Caleb Greene. Caleb almost belly-to-belly suplexes Vic Gambler through the mat. Gambler blocks the suplex attempt. Tag to Luis Ortega. Spinebuster by Luis Ortega, executed with Arn-esque perfection. Brutal seated powerbomb on Caleb. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Caleb receives some punishment. Caleb Greene avoids a Luis Ortega avalanche. Caleb pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Luis Ortega down to the mat. Caleb Greene has Luis Ortega down on the canvas and is ascending the corner. Green With Envy!!! 1....2....3!! It's all over. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

We look to move onto the next match as the Ragin' Cajuns are in the ring. Wait a sec. Some unfamiliar music hits and the lights turn their attention to the stage. What the...??? It's the man in all of those videos we've seen these last few weeks! That's Hugo! We've been expecting his arrival but certainly not in this capacity. This scary looking beast enters the ring AND CLOTHESLINES THE RAGIN' CAJUNS DOWN! He tosses Daniel St. Croix out of the ring but keeps Carl Deveroux inside and just proceeds to brutalize him. Wait...now he's taking Deveroux to the top rope in a fallaway slam position and proceeds to moonsault off the top while holding Deveroux, crushing him underneath! Deveroux is hurt! Hugo walks off leaving us to bask in his destructive debut.

Second Match: King Kavovit vs. Stone Walsh
Fallaway slam by Stone Walsh. Massive backbreaker, Kavovit got nailed. Cover for a two count. Kavovit blocks the suplex attempt. Kavovit slams Stone Walsh. Second rope flying axe handle, Walsh goes down. There's a two count on the pin. Slingshot senton by Kavovit, crushing the chest of Walsh. Pin : 1 - 2 - 2.9999999. Bodyslam by Kavovit. King Kavovit misses a big legdrop after stalling too long. Lightning kick by Walsh on Kavovit. Hooks the leg for a two count. Kavovit walks into a face-first flapjack. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Fallaway slam by Stone Walsh. Walsh hits a right hand. Kavovit pushes out of a Stone Walsh hold. Big dropkick by King Kavovit, who got good elevation. Tiger suplex on Walsh, right from out of the Misawa playbook. Stone Walsh slams Kavovit, who rolls onto his stomach. What is King Kavovit doing? Stone Walsh picks him up and signals for a powerbomb. He raises Kavovit up...but then falls backward, getting crushed by his opponent in the process! King Kavovit is on top! 1....2....3! Looking at the replay, it appears that Kavovit had taken a chain out of his tights and wrapped it around his fist! Stone Walsh must have been punched with that chain while in mid-powerbomb! What a cheap shot! Good **** rating. 88% overall.

Xavier Cross comes down to the ring and wants to let us know that he is outraged about being accused of laying out Carmichael and Haven. He told us so. He stood in this very ring not that long ago and looked all of you people in the eye, Noah Carmichaels included, and told the truth! What did he get from it? A beating from Haven and a bunch of dirty looks. He demands an apology from everyone that wanted to name him as the perpetrator, the audience included and he's not leaving until he gets one!

Kerry Cemenko decides to make himself known and comes down to the ring. Cross is embarrassing himself, Kerry says. If it makes Cross feel any better, Kerry didn't think Cross was the culprit. Cross is taken back by this but then composes himself and actually offers a thanks. That actually means a lot to him. Kerry wants to expand on that, though. He didn't think Cross was the culprit because Cross prefers to just whine about not getting his way instead of actually doing something about. Cross is furious at this and tries a cheap shot but Cemenko ducks and nails one of his own, knocking down Cross. Cross decides to bail.

Third Match: Jenna Kyle, Naomi Bailey, and Hannah McCormick vs. Missy Brantley, Sarah Moore, and Lauren Franklyn
Kick from Hannah McCormick to the leg. Moore takes a flying neckbreaker from Hannah McCormick. Tag between Hannah McCormick and Naomi Bailey. Bodyslam by Bailey. Massive backbreaker, Moore got nailed. There's a two count on the pin. Bailey tags out to Jenna Kyle. Bailey \ Downunder whip Moore into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Spin kick by Jenna Kyle to the face. Moore counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Sarah Moore hits a rolling kick on Downunder. Moore tags out to Missy Brantley. Big backdrop on Downunder, executed well. Missy Brantley drills Jenna Kyle with a press slam into a Michinoku Driver. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Downunder takes a flying neckbreaker from Missy Brantley. Missy tags out to Lauren Franklyn. Lauren Franklyn hits some punches. Bodyslam by Franklyn. Downunder drops out the back of a Lauren Franklyn bodyslam attempt. Downunder tags out to Hannah McCormick. Franklyn takes a flying neckbreaker from Hannah McCormick. Franklyn tags out to Sarah Moore. Sarah Moore strikes McCormick. McCormick kicks Sarah Moore in the gut to reverse the momentum. Bobbi Jo comes running down the aisle with a chair! McCormick goes to irish whip Sarah Moore into the ropes. B.J. hits Moore with a chair to the back! Sarah Moore gets knocked to the ground by McCormick, who is already climbing the turnbuckle. Through the air, Spotlight! 1....2....3. That was good. **** rating. 90% overall.

Fourth Match: Seth Von Kamp vs. Orlando Kincaid
Big forearm by Seth Von Kamp, ripping a page from the NOAH playbook. Orlando Kincaid powers out of a Seth Von Kamp headlock. Von Kamp takes a headbutt from Orlando Kincaid. Orlando Kincaid misses a clothesline...and takes out the referee by mistake. Massive lariat, OK really put some power into that. Hooks the leg, but the referee is still out. Seth Von Kamp takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Flying elbow from Seth Von Kamp. Von Kamp crushes OK with a running senton. There's a two count on the pin. DDT from the top rope by Seth Von Kamp. That looked brutal. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Orlando Kincaid ducks a clothesline attempt. Devastating face-first slam from OK on Von Kamp. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Von Kamp drops out the back of a Orlando Kincaid bodyslam attempt. Orlando Kincaid can barely stand. Collapse of Society!!! That shook the ring. 1....2....3!! Moses McKay comes running down the aisle, and gets into the ring! Von Kamp turns around...straight into a Mass Effect!! Seth Von Kamp has been left down on the canvas. That was good. **** rating. 89% overall.

Kyle Jacobs, the former Intercontinental Champion, is backstage, none to happy about having the title taken away from him. Yeah, that's right. It was taken away, thanks to Brooke stepping up and proving how much of man Salvatore Scabbia really is. Or should he say how little of a man Scabbia really is.

Fifth Match: Ozzy Mandias and The Wasteland vs. Romeo Valiente and The Millennium Rebels
Double arm suplex by Sammy Brady, Oz hits hard. Running knee lift from Sammy Brady. Tag between Sammy Brady and Johnny Dangerson. Big backdrop on Oz, executed well. Johnny Dangerson hits a bulldog off the ropes. Hooks the leg for a two count. Tag between Johnny Dangerson and Romeo Valiente. Dangerson \ Valiente whip Oz into the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Rude Awakening on Ozzy Mandias by Valiente. Ozzy Mandias takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Second rope flying axe handle, Valiente goes down. Oz tags out to Duke. Spin kick by Duke to the face. Duke scores with a killer spinebuster. Pinfall attempt gets a 2.9999. Duke slams Romeo Valiente down. Tag between Duke and Drakken. Drakken hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Flying elbow from Drakken. Valiente blocks a punch. Tag to Sammy Brady. Second rope flying axe handle, Drakken goes down. Tag to Ozzy Mandias. Oz hits a massive spinning kick to the jaw. Vicious lightning kick by Oz on Brady. Sammy Brady gets knocked to the ground by Oz. Blizzard of Oz! 1....2....3. That was good. **** rating. 88% overall.

Sixth Match: Jason Sorola vs. Isaac Wolff
Double arm suplex by Jason Sorola, Wolff hits hard. Sorola slams Isaac Wolff. Stun Gun from Jason Sorola! There used to be this blonde guy in WCW in the early 90's who used that...i wonder what happened to him? Stun Gun from Jason Sorola! There used to be this blonde guy in WCW in the early 90's who used that...i wonder what happened to him? Sorola walks into a trip. Big clothesline on Sorola. Wolff pulls a picture perfect fallaway slam out of the bag, driving Jason Sorola down to the mat. Cover for a two count. Sorola counters a sleeper hold by turning it into a jaw breaker. Wolff gets rocked with a brutal elbow to the jaw by Sorola. Hooks the leg for a two count. Springboard dropkick from Jason Sorola. Nicely done. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Isaac Wolff takes the advantage after a i-block-your-punch-you-don't-block-mine routine. Wolff hits a wicked chop that echoes through the building. Sorola reverses a Isaac Wolff hammerlock. Jason Sorola snap suplexes Wolff...with authority! ('With authority', trademark G.Monsoon 1986.) Isaac Wolff gets knocked to the ground by Sorola. Isaac Wolff gets locked in the STF! Submission victory! Good **** rating. 89% overall.

MAIN EVENT: WWE Unified World Champion Noah Carmichael and WWE Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Demiras vs. Butch Fleming and Michael Hotbody
Big clothesline on Hotbody. Hotbody gets hit with a huge clothesline. Cover for a two count. Tag between Noah Carmichael and Jordan Demiras. Demiras \ Wildcard whip Hotbody into the corner. Jordan Demiras whips Noah Carmichael in for a hard clothesline to follow-up. Driven DDT by Jordan Demiras. The ring shook violently, instantly making it better at selling than some of the current roster. There's a two count on the pin. Kick from Jordan Demiras to the leg. Hotbody counters an arm wringer with an elbow to the side of the head. Vicious kick to the teeth from Michael Hotbody. Akira Maeda would be proud. Hotbody tags out to Butch Fleming. Bodyslam by Fleming. Ring-shaking slam on Demiras. Butch Fleming misses a clothesline. Demiras tags out to Noah Carmichael. Powerful Spear by Noah Carmichael. Devastating Tiger Driver 91 very nearly crushes the neck of Fleming. Misawa is probably laughing with glee at the moment. Hooks the leg for a close fall. Fleming gets slammed. Butch Fleming elbows Noah Carmichael in the face to break a hammerlock. Springboard reverse elbow by Butch Fleming. Excellent move. Zed Jones comes running down the aisle with a chair! Fleming and Noah Carmichael continue fighting, unaware of the intrusion. Zed Jones slides in and blasts Noah Carmichael with a chair to the head! Jones climbs out of the ring, the damage done! Noah Carmichael can barely stand. Here it comes - Slaughterhouse Special. 1....2...3, it's finished. Zed Jones is still in the ring. He signals for the Heartstopper! Running down the aisle comes Haven! He slides in the ring...right into an attack by Jones! Haven slid right into an attack! Zed Jones beats away at Haven and leaves him down and hurt. Jones has laid everyone out! A **** rating for a good contest. 89% overall.

Overall show rating: 89%

Let the new month begin!

[Evil Vito]

Loved that opening return promo from Fleming. And despite these all being imaginary characters, I can totally envision Hotbody. I'm a sucker for heels that are so annoying they successfully piss off other heels. "Cruiserweight champion-elect" :lol:

Slaughterhouse Special is a kickass finisher name.

[Evil Vito]

Curious as to how good your trainees are when they first graduate from camp. It's been sooooo long since I've had a game that's lasted long enough for me to even see that first class graduate. I can hire any staff at 90 or below right now so I immediately signed 87 rated Fit Finlay as my head trainer and a few others in the 80s as well.

[M-A-G]

Curious as to how good your trainees are when they first graduate from camp. It's been sooooo long since I've had a game that's lasted long enough for me to even see that first class graduate. I can hire any staff at 90 or below right now so I immediately signed 87 rated Fit Finlay as my head trainer and a few others in the 80s as well.

Well, I keep them in the camp until at least two of their stats are over 90. It usually takes a while but it's worth it. There's also the benefit of their Attitude and Behavior improving.

[M-A-G]

As an add-on to the show, I forgot to really make it explicitly clear that it was actually Fleming who left Haven and the champion laying on those shows where they were found beaten up. I'm sure you figured it out all things considered. I'm looking to hopefully have a blow off for this feud before the summer starts. I'm going to be pissed if somebody gets injured or wants to retweet Candace Owens again.

[M-A-G]

Slaughterhouse Special is a kickass finisher name.

Don't know if someone has pulled this off in real life but imagine tossing your opponent up from a belly-to-back suplex position and then when they're in the air, you quickly pivot catching them across your shoulders and using the torque to drive them neck first into the mat. I've studied the science of this using plenty of pillows and I've arrived at the conclusion that it is indeed awesome.